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WHITE TUAPPEH 



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ROB NIXON, 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



^ 3^ale of ^entml Sntisl^ l^oit^ ^mtttau 



BY 



W. H. G. KINGSTON, 

▲ UTHOB OF "PBTXB THX WHALEB ;" "TOUNO rOBRXaTEBt." 



NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY JAMES MILLER, 

(BVOOnSOB TO O. B. FRANOIB * 00.) 

322 BBOADWAT. 
1866. 



Rio 



I 



ROB NIXON, 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



» I 



CHAPTER I. 



FiOTUBE a wide, gently undulating expanse 
of land covered with tall grass, over which, 
as it bends to the breeze, a gleam of light 
ever and anon flashes brightly. It is a roll- 
ing prairie in Korth America, midway be- 
tween the Atlantic and Paciflc oceans. On 
either hand the earth and sky seem to unite, 
without an object to break the line of the 
horizon, except in the far distance, where 
some tall trees, by a river's side, shoot up 
out of the plain, but appear no higher than 
a garden hedge-row. It is truly a wilder- 



10 



ROB NIXON, 



ness, which no wise man would attempt to 
traverse without a guide. 

That man has wandered there, the rem- 
nants of mortality which lie scattered about 
— a skull and the bare ribs seen as the wind 
blows the grass aside — afford melancholy 
evidence. A nearer inspection shows a rifle, 
now covered with rust, a powder-flask, a 
sheath-knife, a flint and steel, and a few 
other metal articles of hunters' gear. Those 
of more destructible materials have disap- 
peared before the ravenous jaws of the hosts 
of locusts which have swept over the plain. 
Few portions of the earth's. surface give a 
more complete idea of boundless extent than 
the American prairie. "Not a sound is heard. 
The silence itself is awe-inspiring. The 
snows of* winter have lain thickly on that 
plain, storms have swept over it, the rain 
has fallen, the lightning flashed, the thunder 
roared, since it has been trodden by the foot 
of man. Perhaps the last human being who 



\ I 



THE OLD WHITK TBAPPEB. 



has attempted to cross it was he whose bones 
lie blanching in the summer sun— «that sun 
which now, having some time passed its 
meridian height, is sinking towards the 
west. 

Southward appear, coming as it were from 
below the horizon, some dark specks, scat- 
tered widely from east to west, and moving 
slowly. On they come, each instant in- 
creasing in numbers, till they form one dark 
line. They are animals with huge heads 
and dark shaggy manes, browsing as they 
advance, clearing the herbage before them. 
They are a herd of bison, known by the wild 
hunters of the west as buffaloes — countless 
apparently in numbers — powerful and fero- 
cious in appearance, with their short thick 
horns and long heads. Kow they halt, as 
the richer pasturage entices ; now again ad- 
vance. A large number lie down to rest, 
while others, moving out of the midst, seem 
to be acting as scouts to give notice of the 



12 



ROB NIXON, 



approach of danger. They go on as before, 
darkening the whole southern horizon. The 
wind is from the west; the scouts lift up 
their shaggy heads and sniff the air, but dis- 
cover no danger. From the east another 
dark line rises quickly above the horizon : 
the ground shakes with the tramp of horses. 
It is a troop of huntsmen — savage warriors 
of the desert. What clothing they wear is 
of leather gayly adorned. Some have feath- 
ers in their heads, and their dark red skins 
painted curiously. Some carry bows richly 
ornamented: a few only are armed with 
rifles. A few, who, by their dress, the 
feathers and adornments of the head, appear 
to be chiefs, ride ahead and keep the line in 
order. Every man holds his weapon ready 
for instant use. They advance steadily, 
keeping an even line. Their leader waves 
his rifle. Instantly the steeds spring for- 
ward. Like a whirlwind they dash on : no 
want of energy now. The huntsmen are 



■ s 



TBS OLD WHITB TaAPP£B. 



13 



amoDg the bewildered herd before their ap> 
proacli has been perceived. Arrows fly in 
quick succession from every bow — bullets 
from the rifles. The huntsmen have flUed 
their mouths with the leaden messengers of 
death, and drop them into their rifles as they 
gallop on, firing right and left — singling out 
the fattest beasts at a glance — and never 
erring in theu aim. In a few minutes the 
plain is thickly strewn with the huge car- 
casses of the shaggy bu£faloes, each hunts- 
man, as he passes on, dropping some article 
of his property by which he may know the 
beast he has killed. Kow the herd begin to 
seek for safety in flight, still keeping in the 
direction they had before been taking, some 
scattering, however, on each side. The 
eager hunters pursue till the whole prairie, 
from right to left, is 'covered with flying 
buffaloes and wild horsemen ; the crack of 
the rifles sounding distinctly through the 

calm, summer air, in which the tiny wreath 

2* 



14 



SOB NIXON, 






of smoke ascends unbroken and marks the 
hunter's progress. 

Among the huntsmen rides one distin- 
guished from the rest by his more complete, 
yet less ornamented clothing ; by a leather 
cap without feathers, and by the perfect 
order of his rifle and hunting accoutrements. 

On a nearer inspection, his skin — though 
tanned, and wrinkled, and furrowed, by long 
exposure to the weather, and by age and 
toil — might 1)3 discovered to have been 
of a much lighter hue originally than that of 
his companions. Old as he was, no one was 
more eager in the chase, and no one's rifle 
brought down so great a number of buffaloes 
as did his. To all appearance he was as 
active and strong as the youngest huntsman 
of the band. In the course of the hunt he 
had reached the extreme left of the line. A 
superb bull appeared before him. " I'll have 
you for your robe, if not for your meat, old 
fellow," exclaimed the hunter, galloping on 



THE OLD WHITB TBAFPEB. 



15 



towards the animal's right flank, so as to 
turn him yet further from the herd, and to 
obtain a more direct shot at his head or at his 
shoulders. There are occasions when the 
most practised of shots will find himself at 
fault — ^the firmest nerves will fail. The old 
hunter had reached a satisfactory position — 
he raised his rifle, and fired. At that in- 
stant, while still at full speed, his horse's 
front feet sunk into a hole made by a badger, 
or some other of the smaller creatures in- 
habiting the prairie ; and the animal, nnable 
to recover itself, threw the hunter violently 
forward over its head, where he lay without 
moving, and apparently dead. The horse 
struggled to free itself; and then, as it fell 
forward, gave utterance to one of those 
piercing cries of agony not often heard, and, 
when heard, not to be forgotten. Both fore- 
legs were broken. Its fate was certain. It 
must become the prey of the ravenous 
wolves, who speedily scent out the spots 



16 



ROB NIXON, 



, 



'.f 



where the hunters have overtaken a herd of 
buffaloes. Meantime the buffalo, who had 
been struck by the hunter's bullet, but not 
so wounded as to bring him instantly to the 
gi'ound, galloped on for some distance in 
the direction he was before going, when, 
feeling the pain of his wound, or hearing the 
cry of the horse, he turned round to face his 
enemies. Seeing both steed and rider pros- 
trate, he tossed his head, and then, lowering 
his horns close, to the ground, prepared to 
charge. The last moments of the old hunter 
seemed approaching. The cry of agony- 
uttered by his favorite steed roused him. 
He looked up and saw the buffalo about to 
make its charge. His hand had never re- 
laxed its grasp of his rifle. To feel for his 
powder-flask and to load was the work of an 
instant ; and, without an attempt to rise, he 
brought the muzzle of his piece to bear on 
the furious animal as it was within a few 
paces of him. "Kob Nixon never feared 



\ 



•• 







fF^^OJK.J 



"TSSSSSSH"'!!!'' 



TUB OLD WHITB TRAPPEB. 



17 



man nor beast, and will not this time, let an 
old bull bellow as loud as he may," he mut- 
tered, as he raised his rifle and fired. The 
bullet took effect, but did not stop the head- 
long career of the enraged monster, which 
came on, ploughing up the ground, towards 
him. The hunter saw his danger and tried 
to rise, but in vain. He then made a despe- 
rate endeavor to drag himself out of the way 
of the creature. He but partially suc- 
ceeded, when the buffalo, sinking down, 
rolled over and over, crushing, with his 
huge carcass, the already injured legs and 
lower extremities of the unfortunate hunter. 
In spite of the pain he was enduring, the old 
man, raising himself on his elbow, grimly 
surveyed his conquered foe : " You've the 
worst of it, though you nearly did for me, I 
own," he exclaimed, nodding his head ; " but 
a miss is as good as a mile, and when I'm 
free of you, maybe I'll sup off your 
hump." 



18 



BOB KIXON, 



: 



t 



To liberate himself from the monster's 
carcass was, however, no easy task, injured 
as he was already by his fall, and by the 
weight of the buffalo pressing on him. He 
made several attempts, but the pain was 
very great, and he found that his strength 
was failing him. While resting, before 
making another attempt to move, he per- 
ceived his poor horse, whose convulsive 
struggles showed how much he had been in- 
jured. On looking round, also, he discov- 
ered that the accident had taken place in a 
slight hollow, which, shallow as it was, shut 
him out from the view of his companions, 
who were now pursuing the remainder of 
the herd at a considerable distance from 
where he lay. Again and again he tried to 
drag his injured limbs from beneath the 
buffalo. He had never given in while con- 
sciousness remained, and many were the ac- 
cidents which had happeaed to him during 
his long hunter's life. Would he give in 



"MMiffitMS: 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



19 



now? **No, not I," he muttered; "Rob 
Nixon is not the boy for that." At length, 
however, his spirit succambed to bodily suf- 
fering, and he sank back exhausted and 
fainting, scarcely conscious of what had 
happened, or where he was. Had he re- 
tained sufficient strength to fire his rifle he 
might have done so, and summoned some of 
the hunters to his assistance; but he was 
unable even to load it, so it lay useless by 
his side. Thus he remained; time passed 
by — no one approached him — the sun sank 
in the horizon— darkness came on. It ap* 
peared too probable that the fate of many a 
hunter in that vast prairie would be his. 
How long he had remained in a state of stupor 
he could not tell-; consciousness returned at 
length, and, revived by the cool air of night, 
he sat up and gazed about him. The stars 
had come out and were shining brilliantly 
overhead, enabling him to see to the extent 
of his limited horizon. The dead buffalo 



20 



BOB NIXON, 



still pressed on his legs — a hideous night- 
mare ; his horse lay near, giving vent to his 
agony in piteous groans, and every iiow and 
then making an attempt to rise to his feet. 
" My poor mustang, you are in a bad way, I 
fear,'' said the hunter, in a tone of commiser- 
ation, forgetting his own sufferings; "I 
would put an end to thy misery, and so 
render thee the only service in my power, 
but that I cannot turn myself to load my 
rifle. Alack I alack ! we shall both of us 
ere long be food for the wolves ; but, though 
I must meet my fate as becomes a man, I 
would save you — ^poor, dumb brute that you 
are — ^from being torn by their ravenous 
fangs while life remains in you." Such 
were the thoughts which passed through 
the hunter's mind, for it can scarcely be said 
he spoke them aloud. 

He would probably again have relapsed 
into a state of stupor, but that a hideous 
howl, borne by the night breeze, reached 



THE OLD WHITB TRAPPEB. 



21 



his ears. " Wolves 1" he exclaimed ; " ah I 
I know you, you brutes." The howl was 
repeated again and again, its increased 
loudness, showing that the creatures were 
approaching. The well-known terrible 
sounds roused up the old hunter to make 
renewed exertions to extricate himself. This 
time, by dint of dragging himself out with 
his arms, he succeeded in getting his feet 
from under the bufifalo; but he then dis- 
covered, to his dismay, that his thigh had 
either been broken, or so severely sprained 
by his fall, that to walk would be impos- 
sible. He managed, however, to load his 
rifle. Scarcely had he done so when the 
struggles of his horse reminded him of the 
pain the poor animal was suffering. Al- 
though he knew that every charge of 
powder in his flask would be required for 
his own defence, he did not hesitate in per- 
forming the act of mercy which the case re- 
quired. He uttered no sentimental speech, 



22 



ROB NIXON, 



tbongh a pang of grief passed throngh his 
heart as he pointed the weapon at the 
horse's head. His aim was true, and ^the 
noble animal fell dead. ^^ He's gone ; not 
long before me, I guess," he muttered, as he 
reloaded his piece. " Those brutes will find 
me out, there is no doubt about that ; but 
I'll have a fight first — Rob Nixon will die 
game." The old hunter drew a long knife 
from a sheath at his side, and, deliberately 
examining its point, placed it on the ground 
near him while he reloaded his rifie. Thus 
did the old man prepare for an inevitable 
and dreadful death, as he believed ; yet not 
a prayer did he offer up, not a thought did 
he cast at the future. Eternity, heaven, 
and hell, were matters unknown ; or, if once* 
known, long since forgotten. Yet forgetfnl- 
ness of a fact will not do away with it. 
They are awful realities, and will assuredly 
be found such, however much men may 
strive to banish them from their thoughts. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



23 



The young especially are surprised to hear 
that old men have forgotten what they 
learned in their youth, that they neglect to 
pray, to read the Bible, to think about God 
and their own souls ; but let them be as- 
sured that if once they give up the habit of 
praying, of studying God's holy Word, of 
obeying His commands, there is one ever 
ready to persuade them that there is no 
harm in this neglect ; that it will save them 
much trouble ; and that it is far more 
manly to neglect prayers, to be irreligious 
and profane, than to love, serve, and obey 
their Maker. A downward course is sadly 
easy ; let them beware of taking the first 
step. Each step they take in the wrong di- 
rection they will find it more and more 
diflBcult to recover, till, like the old hunts- 
man, they' will cease to care about the 
matter, and God will no longer be in their 
thoughts. There lay that old man on the 
wild prairie, a melancholy spectacle, — not 



24 



SOB inxoN, 



80 much that he was surrounded by dangers 
— that he was wounded and crippled — that 
wild beasts were near him — that, if he 
escaped their fangs, starvation threatened 
him, — but that he had no hope for the 
future— that he had no trust in God — that 
he had not laid hold of the means of 
salvation. 

As Rob Nixon lay on the ground, support- 
ing his head on his arm, he turned his gaze 
round and round, peering into the darkness 
to watch for any thing moving near him. 
He knew that before the sun set his Indian 
comrade© would have carried off the flesh 
from the buffaloes they had killed, and 
that after that they would move their 
camp to a distance, no one being likely 
to return. He probably would not be 
missed for some time, and, when missed, 
it would be supposed that he had fallen 
into the hands of the Salteux, or Ojibways, 
the hereditary enemies of their nation, and 



/ 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPER. 



25 



that already his scalp had been carried off 
as a trophy by those hated foes. ** They'll 
revenge me, that's one comfort ; and the 
Ojibways will got paid for wliat the wolves 
have done." These were nearly the last 
thoughts which passed through the brain 

t 

of the old hunter, as the howls and yelps 
of the wolves, which had formed a dreadful 
concert at a distance around him, approached 
still nearer. "I guessed the vermin wouldn't 
be long in finding me out," he muttered; and, 
on looking up, he saw through the darkness, 
glaring fiercely down on him from the edge 
of the hollow in which he lay, the eyes of a 
pack of wolves. " I'll stop the howling of 
some of you," he exclaimed, lifting his rifle. 
There was no cry ; but a gap in the circle of 
eyes showed that a wolf had fallen, and in- 
stantly afterwards the loud barking and yelp- 
ing proved that the savage creatures were 
tearing their companion to pieces. This 
gave time to the old man to reload and to 



26 



BOB NIXON, 



pick off another wolf. In thk manner he 
killed several, and, though he did not drive 
them away, they were prevented from ap- 
proaching nearer. On finding that such 
was the case, his hopes of escaping their 
fangs rose slightly, at the same time that 
the lightness of his powder-flask and bullet- 
bag told him that his ammunition would 
soon fail, and that then he would have his 
hunting-knife alone on which to depend. 
He accordingly waited, without again firing, 
watching his foes, who continued howling 
and wrangling over the bodies of their fel- 
lows. Now and then one would descend a 
short way into the hollow, attracted by the 
scent of the dead horse and buffalo, but a 
sudden shout from the old hdnter kept the 
intruders at a respectful distance. He was 
well aware, however, that should exhausted 
nature for one instant compel him to drop 
asleep, the brutes would be upon him, and 
tear him limb from limb. Thus the hours 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



27 



of the night passed slowly along. Many 
men would have succumbed ; but, hardened 
by a long life of danger and activity, Robert 
Nixon held out bravely, in spite of the pain, 
and thirst, and hunger from which he was 
suffering. Never for one moment was his 
eye off his enemies, while his fingers were 
on the trigger ready to shoot the first which 
might venture to approach. More than once 
he muttered to himself, "It must be near 
morning, and then these vermin will take 
themselves off, and let me have some rest. 
Ah, rest ! that's the very thing I have been 
wanting," he continued ; " it's little enough 
I've ever had of it. I've been working away 
all my life, and where's the good I've got 
out of it ? There's been something wrong, 
I suppose, but I can't make it out. Rest I 
Yes, that's it. I should just like to find my- 
self sitting in my lodge among a people who 
don't care, like these Dakotahs, to be always 
fighting or hunting ; but they are not a bad 



28 



BOB inxoN, 



<i 



people, and they've been good friends to me, 
and I've no fault to find with their ways, 
though I'll own they're more suited to young 
men than to an old one like me. But there's 
little use my thinking this. Maybe, I shall 
never see them or any other of my fellow- 
creatures again." It was only now and then 
that his mind framed any thoughts as co- 
herent as these ; generally he remained in a 
dreamy condition, only awake to the ex- 
ternal objects immediately surrounding him. 
Gradually, too, his strength began to fail, 
though he was not aware of the fact. The 
howls, and barks, and snarling, and other 
hideous sounds made by the wolves, in- 
creased. He could see them moving about 
in numbers, around the edge of the basin, 
their red fiery eyes ever and anon glaring 
down on him. At last they seemed to be 
holding a consultation, and to have settled 
their disputes, probably from not having 
longer a bone of contention unpicked 



\ . 



THE OLD WHITE TEAPPEB. 



29 



among them. They were evidently, once 
more, about to make an attack on him. A 
large brute, who had long been prowling 
round, first crept on, gnashing his teeth. 
The old man lifted his rifle, and the crea- 
ture, with a loud cry, fell dead. Another 
and another came on, and, before he could 
load, the foremost had got close up to him. 
He fired at the animal's head. It rolled 
over, and, the flash of his rifle scaring the 
rest, with hideous yelps they took to flight, 
the old man firing after them directly he 
could reload. He could scarcely believe 
that he was to remain unmolested, and, 
once more loading his rifle, he rested as 
before, on his arm, watching for their re- 
appearance. Gradually, however, exhausted 
nature gave way, and he sank down uncon- 
scious on the ground, to sleep, it might be, 
the sleep of death. 



8* 



30 



BOB NIXON, 



-,v 



CHAPTER n. 



The sun rose and shone forth brightly on 
the earth. There was the sound of winged 
creatures in Robert Nixon's ears as he once 
more awoke and gazed languidly around. 
His first impulse was to attempt to rise, but 
the anguish he suffered the instant he moved 
reminded him of the injuries he had received. 
Yain were his efforts ; to stand up was im- 
possible. Although the wolves for the time 
were gone, they, to a certainty, would return 
at night, and thus, without ammunition, how 
could he defend himself against them ? Ho 
might subsist on the meat of the buffalo for 
a day or two, but that would soon become 
uneatable, and as he could scarcely hope to 
recover from his hurt for many days ; even if 



THE OLD WHITE TBAFPEB. 



31 



he escaped the wolves, he must die of star- 
yation. Again he sank into a state of men- 
tal stupor, though his eye still remained cog- 
nizant of external obj ects. As the old hunter 
thus lay on the ground his eye fell on a 
horseman riding rapidly by. He was a Sal- 
teux, or Ojibway Indian, a people having a 
deadly feud with his friends, the Sioux. The 
sight roused him. To kill the man and cap- 
ture his horse was the idea which at once 
occurred to him. Rousing himself by a 
violent exertion he levelled his rifle and 
flred. Not for an instant did he hesitate 
about taking the life of a fellow-creature. 
That fellow-creature was a foe of his friends, 
whose badge he wore, and would, he be- 
lieved, kill him if he was discovered. He 
had miscalculated his powers — his eye had 
grown dim, his arm had lost its nerve ; the 
bullet which once would have proved a sure 
messenger of death flew wide of its mark, 
and the Indian sat his horse unharmed. He 



82 



ROB NIXON, 



■^' 



I. 



turned, however, immediately, and galloped 
towards the spot whence the shot came. 
The old hunter had expended his last bullet. 
With grim satisfaction he awaited the In- 
dian's approach, and the expected flourish 
of the scalping knife, or the kinder blow of 
the tomahawk, which would deprive him at 
once of life. " Better so than be torn by the 
fangs of those vermin the wolves,'^ he mut- 
tered, for though he clutched his knife to 
strike back, he well knew that he was at 
the mercy of his adversary. The Indian, 
though a rifle hung at his back, rode stead- 
ily up without unslinging it. 

"A friend!" he shouted in the Salteux, 
or Ojibway dialect; "a friend! fire not 
again.'' 

" A friend ! How so ?" exclaimed the 
old hunter. "Your people and mine are 
mortal foes." 

" I would be a friend to all the suffer- 
ing and distressed," was the unexpected 



lot 



he 



ire 



ed 




THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



83 



answer. "I see what has happened — you 
have fought bravely for your life ; the re- 
mains of the wolves tell me that, but before 
another sun has risen you would have been 
torn limb from limb by their fellows. Truly 
I am thankful that I was sent to save yon 
from death." 

"Sent! Who sent you?" cried the old 
hunter, gazing up at the strange Indian. 
The other having just dismounted from his 
horse stood looking compassionately down 
on him. 

* " He who watches over the fatherless and 
widows, and all who are distressed," an- 
swered the Indian. 

"A generous kind person I doubt not, 
but I know of none such in this land ; He 
must live far away from here," said the old 
hunter. 

" He lives in heaven, and His eye is every- 
where," said the Indian, solemnly. "He 
loves all mankind ; without His will not a 



u 



BOB mXOTSf, 



sparrow falls to the ground ; and I am sure, 
therefore, that it was His will that I should 
come to you." 

" Truly you speak strange words for 
a redskin I" exclaimed the hunter. *^ I have 
heard long ago white men talk as you, 
but never an Indian. You are one I see ; 
there is no deceiving me. I cannot under- 
stand the matter." 

" I will tell you as we go along," said the 
Indian; "but we must no longer delay, 
father ; we have many miles to travel be- 
fore we can reach my people, and I kno\^ 
not how I can restore you to your friends. 
It wdiild be dangerous for me to approach 
them, for they could not understand how i 
can only wish them good." 

"I will go with you, friend," said the 
old man. "I would gladly dwell with 
your people, and hear more of those strange 
matters of which you have been speaking." 

Without further exchange of words the 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



35 



Indian, having examined the old man's 
hurts, gave him some dried meat and a 
draught from his water-flask, and lifted him 
with the utmost care on his horse ; he then 
took the hunter's rifle and horse's trappings 
before moving off. He also secured the 
tongue and hump, and some slices from the 
buffalo's back, which he hung to his saddle- 
bow. 

"We may require more provision than 
our own rifles can supply before we reach 
our journey's end," he observed ; as he did 
so, pointing to the northeast. 

Eobert Nixon without hesitation yielded 
to all his suggestions. 

The day was already considerably ad- 
vanced, and the Indian seemed anxious to 
push on. Keeping up a rapid pace, he 
walked by the side of his companion, 
who, overcome by weakness and want of 
sleep, would have fallen off, had not his 
strong arm held him on. Thus they jour- 



86 



BOB NIXON, 



neyed, hour after hour, across the prairie. 
The Indian, from the first, employed various 
devices for rendering his trail invisible. On 
starting, he moved for some distance west- 
ward, till he reached the bed of a small 
stream, on which even the sharp eye of a 
native could scarcely perceive a trace; 
then, circling round, he commenced his 
intended course. Many miles were passed 
over, and the bank of a rapid river was 
reached, when the setting sun warned him 
that it was time to encamp. Instead, how- 
ever, of doing so, he at once led his horse 
into the stream, and, keeping close to the 
shore, waded against the current, often 
having the water up to his waist for a con- 
siderable distance ; then, coming to a ford, 
he crossed over and continued along in the 
same direction, till he once more returned 
to dry ground. The bank was fringed on 
each side by a belt of trees, which in the 
warm weather of summer afforded ample 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



87 



ehelter from the dew, and concealment 
from any passing enemy. The chief trees 
were poplar, willow, and alder; but there 
were also sprnce and birch Round the 
latter lay large sheets of the bark. A 
quantity of those the Indian at once col- 
lected, and with some thin poles, which 
he cut with his hatchet, he rapidly con- 
structed a small hut or wigwam, strewing 
the floor with the young shoots of the 
spruce-fir. On this couch he placed his 
injured companion, putting his saddle under 
his head as a pillow. He then brought the 
old man some food and water, and next pro- 
ceeded to examine his hurts with more at- 
tention than he had beforr been able to be- 
stow. Bringing water from tht river, he 
fomented his bruises for a long time, and 
then, searching for some leaves of a plant 
possessed of healing qualities, he bound 
them with strips of soft leather round his 

swollen limbs. 

4 



..-•^ 



38 



ROB NIXON, 



More than once the old hunter expressed 
his surprise that a stranger should care so 
much for him, and should actually feed and 
tend him before he had himself partaken of 
food and rested. 

" I serve a loving Master, and I am but 
obeying His wishes," was the laconic an- 
swer. 

" Yery strange I very strange!" again and 
again muttered the old man. " You must 
tell me something about that Master of 
yours. I cannot understand who He can be." 

" I will not disappoint you, father, for I 
love to speak of Him," said the Indian ; ^* I 
will come anon, and sit by your side, and 
tell you what I know. It will interest you, 

« 

I doubt not, and maybe you will wish to 
know more about Him." 

Some time passed, however, before the 
Indian was able to fulfil his promise. 
He had to tend his horse, and to set 
some traps to catch any small game 



1 ' 

,1 



n 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



39 



which might pass, and to search for cer- 
tain roots and berries for food. He 
showed, too, by all his movements, that 
he considered himself in an enemy's coun- 
try, or in the neighborhood of an enemy 
from whom it was necessary to keep con- 
cealed. When he came back the old man 
had fallen asleep. 

"Let him sleep on," said the Indian 
to himself; " our Father in Heaven will 
watch over and protect us both. I would 
that I could, watch, but my body requires 
rest.". 

Having tethered his horse close at hand, 
strewed the ground with a few spruce 
fir-tops, and placed his rifle by his side, 
he knelt down and prayed, not as once 
to Manitou, to the Great Spirit, the un- 
known God, but to the true God — a God 
no longer feared as a worker of evil, 
but beloved as the source of all good, of 
all blessings, spiritual and temporal. His 



40 



BOB NIXON, 



prayer fiDished, he stretched himself on his 
couch, and was in an instant asleep. 

The silvery streaks of early dawn were 
just appearing in the eastern sky, seen 
amid the foliage of the wood, when the 
Indian, impulsively grasping his rifle, 
started to his feet. His quick ear had 
caught, even in his sleep, the sound of a 
distant shot. It might be fired by a friend, 
but very likely by a foe, and it behooved him 
to be on the alert. The old hunter heard it 
also, but it did not awake him. 

" Ah ! they are on us. No matter, we'll 
fight for our lives," he muttered in his sleep. 
" Hurrah, lads ! Kob Nixon will not yield 
— ^never, while he's an arm to strike." 

He spoke in English, which the Indian 
seemed to understand, though the observa- 
tion he made was in his own language. 

"Our own arms will do little for us, 
father, unless we trust in Him who is all- 
powerful to save.** 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



41 



His voice awoke the old man, who sat 
up and looked around from out of his 
hut. Seeing the Indian in the altitude of 
listening, he at once comprehended the 
state of matters. 

"Few or many, I'll stand oj you, friend 
Redskin," he exclaimed, apparently forget- 
ting his helpless condition ; " load my rifle, 
and hand it to me. If foes are coming, they 
shall learn that Rob Nixon has not lost the 
use of his arms and eyes, whatever he 
may have of his legs." 

"I doubt not your readiness to fight, 
father," said the Indian, addressing the 
old man thus, to show his respect for 
age ; " but we may hope to avoid the ne- 
cessity of having to defend ourselves. 
Friends, and not foes, may be near us, 
or we may escape discovery ; or, what 
is better still, we may overcome the en- 
mity of those who approach us with bad 
intent." 



42 



ROB NIXON, 



"Yonr talk is again strange, as it was 
yesterday," answered the hunter. " I know 
not what you mean by overcoming enmity. 
There is only one way that I have ever 
found answer, both with pale-faces and 
redskins, and that is by killing your 
enemy." 

"Try what kindness will do, father. 
Love is the law of the true God," said 
the Indian ; " but we will anon talk of 
these things. I will go forth and learn 
what the shot we heard just now means." 

" Load my rifle, and give it me first, 
I pray you," said the white hunter ; " I 
have great faith in my old way of doing 
things, and am not likely to change." 

The Indian loaded the i-ifle and handed 
it to him, and, without saying a word 
more, set off through the wood, and was 
soon out of sight. Rob INTixon lay still, 
with his rifle resting across his body, ready 
to fire should an enemy appear. Over and 



THE OLD WHITE TBAFPEB. 



43 



over again he muttered : " Strang^ I strange I 
that a redskin should talk so. I cannot 
make it out." 

Several minutes passed by, and the In- 
dian did not return. The old man grew 
more anxious than he would have acknow- 
ledged to himself. He had some natural 
feeling on his own account, should his new 
friend have been cut off, but he was also 
anxious for that new friend, to whom he 
could not but be grateful for the service 
he had rendered him. At length he saw 
the bushes move, and the Indian appeared, 
and crept close up to him. 

" There are foes, and many of them," he 
said, in a low voice ; " they are near at h-and, 
but they are not seeking for us ; and thus, if 
they do not cross our trail, we may yet es- 
cape discovery." 

The Indian had already concealed his 
horse in a thicket, and by carefully sur- 
rounding the spot where they lay with 



u 



BOB NIXON, 



boughs their little camp was completely 
hidden from the sight of any casual passer 
by. The boughs he had cut from the inter- 
ior part of a thicket, for had they been 
taken from the outer side the eye of an In- 
dian would at once have observed the white 
stumps which were left, Again, by cross- 
ing the river in the mode tLey had done, 
there was no trail to lead to their camp. 
For these reasons the Indian and the white 
hunter had good cause to believe that they 
might escape discovery. As their enemies 
were as yet at some distance, it was not 
deemed necessary to keep altogether silent. 
The old hunter was the most loquacious. 

" I would, friend Redskin," said he, " that 
I had the use of my legs and half a dozen of 
my old companions at my back, and I 
wouldn't fear as to holding my own against 
three-score or more of Crees, or Ojibways ; 
no offence to you, friend ; for there are not 
many like youj I guess." 






m 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



45 



"Your people fight bravely but fool- 
ishly, according to Indian notions," an- 
swered the Indian; "for, instead of ad- 
vancing on their foes under shelter and 
trying to take them unawares, they dress 
themselves in fine clothes, make a great noise 
when going forth to battle, and expose 
their bodies to be shot at. I was once 
esteemed a mighty warrior, and was a 
man of blood; I have engaged in much 
fighting, but would now wish to bury the 
hatchet of war with all the world. I thank 
you for what you say of me ; but things of 
which I once boasted, I boast of no longer. 
I am a chief of many people ; but instead, 
as at one time, of wishing to lead them to 
war, I now desire to lead them to a know- 
ledge of the Lord and Master whom I serve 
— the Saviour of the world." 

"Every man to his taste, friend Red- 
skin," said the old hunter; "when I was 
a young man like you I could not have 



V 



46 



BOB NIXON, 



fighting or hunting enough. Now, I own, 
I am growing somewhat weary of the work ; 
and if we get to the end of this journey 
with our scalps on, maybe I'll settle down 
with your people." 

It may seem strange that the old man 
could not comprehend what was the mean- 
ing of the Indian, when he spoke thus. If 
he had a glimmering of the truth, he turned 
away from it. Many do the same. Felix 
has numberless imitators. Both the Indian 
and Rob Nixon were silent for some min- 
utes, attentively listening for the approach 
of the strangers. Not a sound, however, 
being heard, they began to hope that their 
enemies had gone a different way. 

" There'll be no fighting this time, I guess, 
friend Redskin," said the old man. "It's 
all the better, too, considering that, you 
don't seem much inclined for it ; and I'm 
not in the best trim for work of that sort, 
or any work, truth to say." 



■■♦: 



r 



W^ 



THE OLD "WHITE TRAPPER. 



47 



Rob Nixon had remarked that the 
Indian had winced more th*» once when 
addressed as Redskin, which was cer- 
tainly not a respectful or complimentary 
mode of. addressing him. The reason of this 
became still more evident when he spoke of 
himself as a chief. Chiefs in general would 
not for an instant have suffered such familiar- 
ity. Rob Nixon saw that it was time to 
apologize. He did so in his own way. 

" I say, friend, I've just a thing to ask you. 
You've a name, I doubt not, showing forth 
some of the brave deeds you have done, the 
enemies you have slain, the miles you have 
run, the rivers you have swam across, the 
bears you have captured, or the beavera 
you have trapped. Tell me, what is it? for 
I've a notion the one I've been giving you is 
not altogether the right or a pleasant one." 

The Indian smiled, as he answered quietly, 

" The name I bear, and the only one by 
which I desire to be called, is Peter. It was 



# 



1 1 



I 



II 



48 



ROB NIXON, 



^i;t: 



given me, not for killing men or slaughter- 
ing beasts, but at my baptism, when I was 
received into the Church of Christ, and un- 
dertook to love, honor, serve, and obey Him 
in all things as my Lord and Master." 

" Peter I Peter ! that's a strange name for 
an Injun," said the white hunter half to him- 
self. "Why, that's such a name as they 
give in the old country to a Christian." 

"' And I, too, am a Christian, though an 
unworthy one, father," answered the Indian, 
humbly. 

" Never heard before of a Christian In- 
jun!" exclaimed the old man bluntly ; "but 
strange things happen, I'll allow. I don't 
doubt your word; mind that, friend. It 
was strange that when you saw I was a 
friend of the Dakotahs you didn't scalp me, 
without asking questions, and leave me to 
be eaten by wolves. That's the true Injun 
way. It was strange that you should take 
me up, put me on your horse, walk yourself 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPFEB. 



49 



all these miles, with some hundreds more 

before you, and risk your own life to save 

mine. All that is strange, I say ; and so, 

friend, I don't know what other strange 

things may happen. "Well, if so you wish, 

I'll call you Peter ; but I'd rather by far call 

you by your Injun name. It was a good 

one, I'll warrant. Come, tell it now. You 

need not be ashamed of it." 

" In the sight of man I am not ashamed 

of it, for by most of my people I am called 

by it still ; bur in the sight of God I am 

ashamed of it, and still more am I ashamed 

of the deeds which gained it for me. How, 

think you, blood-stained and guilty as I was, 

could I stand in the presence of One pure, 

holy, loving, and merciful? I tell you, 

aged friend, neither you nor I, nor any man, 

could appear before God without fear and 

trembling, if it were not that He is a God of 

love, and that through His great love for us, 

His creatures, whom He has placed on the 

4 



II 



60 



BOB inxoN, 



world, He sent His .only Son, that all who 
believe in Him should not perish, but have 
eternal life." 

The youi.g Christian Indian warmed, as 
he went on in his discourse, which was inter- 
mingled with many beautiful illustrations 
and figures of speech, which it would be 
vain to attempt to translate. Gradually he 
thus unfolded the fundamental truths of the 
Gospel. The old white hunter listened, and 
even listened attentively; but, far from 
warming, seemed scarcely to comprehend 
what was said. 

"Strange! very strange I" he muttered 
frequently ; " and that an Injun should talk 
thus. Forty years I lived among the red- 
skins, and never believed that they knew 
more than their fathers." 

Peter, as he desired to be called, — though 
his heathen name was Aronhiakeura, or 
otherwise the Fiery Arrow, from the rapid- 
ity of his onslaught and the devastation he 



it 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



8f 



Iw 

)r 



caused, — now stated his belief that they 
might venture to proceed without the like- 
lihood of being molested. Scarcely, how- 
ever, had he emerged from their leafy cover 
when another shot was tired close to them ; 
and, before he coirid again seek concealment, 
three fully armed Dakotahs appeared direct- 
ly in front of him. The Dakotahs instantly 
rushed behind the trees, to serve as shields 
should he fire, but he held up his hands to 
show that he was unarmed, and in a low 
voice entreated his companion to remain 
quiet. That resistance would be hopeless 
was evident by the appearance, directly 
afterwards, of a dozen or more Indians, who 
were seen flitting amidst the wood, each man 
obtaining the best shelter in his power. 
Peter stood fully exposed to view, without 
flinching or even contemplating concealing 
himself. Fearless behavior is sure to obtain 
the admiration of Indians. 
Naturally suspicious, they possibly sup- 



52 



ROB NIXON, 



posed that he had a strong force concealed 
somewhere near at hand, and that they had 
themselves fallen into an ambush. Had 
they found and followed up his trail, they 
would have discovered exactly the state of 
the case. That he had a wounded compan- 
ion would not have escaped their notice, and 
that he had but one horse, and travelled 
slowly would also have been known to them. 
By his having crossed the stream, however, 
and come along its bed for some distance, 
they were at fault in this respect. 
, Peter kept his post without flinching ; he 
well knew that the Dakotahs were watching 
him ; indeed, here and there he could dis- 
tinguish the eye of a red-skinned warrior 
glimmering, or the top of a plume waving 
among the trunks of the trees or brush- 
wood. . , .. - 

All the time Hob Nixon, on his part, was 
watching his preserver with intense anxiety. 
He had conceived a warm regard for him, 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



53 



and, knowing the treachery so often ex- 
hibited by the natives, trembled for his 
safety. 

Peter, at length, waved his hand to show 
that he was about to speak. 

" "What seek you, friends ?" he said in a 
calm tone ; " I am a man of peace, I desire 
to be friends with all men, and to injure no 
one; moreover, I would that you and all 
men had the wisdom and enjoyed the happi- 
ness which I possess. See, I cannot harm 
you." As he spoke, he raised up both his 
hands high in the air. -^ 

The Dakotahs, totally unaccustomed to an 
address of this description, were greatly as- 
tonished. Their chief, not to be undone in 
fearlessness, stepped from behind his covert, 
completely exposing himself to view. 

"Who are you, friend? and whence do 
you come ?" he asked ; " you cannot be what 
you seem ?" . 
- " I am a man like yourself, friend, and I 



5* 



Jt-vi^-' 



54 



ROB NIXON, 



/ 



am truly what I seem — a native of this land, 
and of a tribe unhappily constantly at en- 
mity with yours," answered Peter firmly ; 
" but know, O chief, that I differ from many 
of my people; that I love you and your 
people, and all mankind. Will you listen 
to the reason of this ? Let your people ap- 
pear, there is no treachery intended them ; 
I am in your power — why doubt my word ?" 

One by one the Dakotahs crept from be- 
hind the trees which had concealed them, 
and a considerable number assembled in 
front of the Indian, who spoke to them of 
the Gospel of love, and of the glorious 
scheme of redemption. 

They listened attentively; most of them 
with mute astonishment. Now and then 
one of the chief men would give way to his 
feelings by a sound signifying either appro- 
bation or dissent, but not a remark was 
uttered till the speaker ceased. 

For a time all were silent, then with 



/>■ ' 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



55 



gravity and deliberation one of the chiefs 
waved his hand and observed — 

" These are strange words the man speaks 
— he must be a great medicine man." 

" Truly he has the wisdom of the white 
faces," said a second ; " has he their treach- 
ery? Can he be trusted?" 

"The things he says may be true, but 
they concern not us," remarked a third. 

" WikH i is wisdom, whoever speaks it," 
said a gic4./e old warrior, who had. shown 
himself as active in his movements as the 
youngest of his companions. "What the 
stranger tells us of must be as good for one 
man as for another. Rest is good for the 
weary ; who among my brothers, too, would 
not rather serve a powerful and kind chief 
than an inferior and merciless one. He tells 
us of rest for the weary; of a great and 
good chief, who can give us all things to 
make us happy, — I like his discourse, my 
brothers." 



c 



56 



BOB NIXON 



> 



The last speaker seemed to be carrying 
several with him, when another started up 
exclaiming — 

" "What the stranger says comes from the 
pale-faces — it may be false ; there must be 
some treacherous design in it. Let us rather 
dance this night the scalp-dance round his 
scalp than listen to his crafty tales. See, I 
fea,r him not." 

The savage, as he spoke, lifted his rifle and 
was abort to fire it at Peter, when the rest 
drew him back, crying out — 

" He is a medicine man — a great medicine 
man, and may work us ill; interfere not 
with him ; though we do not listen to his 
counsel, let him go free. Even now, while 
we are speaking, we know not what injury 
he may be preparing to do us !" 

Thus the discussion went on for a consider- 
able time, Peter waiting patiently for its re- 
sult. 

Although the speakers had retired rather 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



too far off for him to hear all that was said, 
he gathered sufficient to know the tenor of 
the discussion ; still, no fear entered his 
bosom, he knew that his life was in the 
hand of One mighty to save. 

While he stood waiting the result he 
prayed for himself certainly, but yet more 
earnestly that the truth might be brought 
home to the dark hearts of his countrymen. 

North American Indians are deliberate in 
their councils. Peter knew that his fate would 
not be decided quickly ; but neither by 
word, look, nor action did he show the 
slightest impatience. The old white hunter, 
meantime, had made up his mind to risk 
every thing rather than allow any injury, 
which he could avert, to happen to his 
new friend. That they would recognize 
him, he had no doubt; and the fact that 
he was found in company with a member 
of a hostile tribe would be considered so 
suspicious, that they would possibly put 



ll 



68 



ROB NIXON, 



him to death without stopping to ask 
questions. However, should Peter be killed 
or made prisoner by the Dakotahs, he 
would be left to perish ; so that he felt, 
indeed, that his fate depended on that 
of his friend. From where he lay he could 
see, amid the branches, the Indians holding 
their council. His trusty rifle was by his 
side, and noiselessly he brought it to cover 
their principal chief. His purpose was to 
fire at the first hostile movement, hoping 
that on the fall of their leader the Indians, 
fancying that they had got into a trap, 
would take to flight. At length the Da- 
kotahs' leader advanced a few steps. He 
little thought that the lifting his hand with 
a menacing gesture might cost him his 
life. 

"Stranger, with you we would gladly 
smoke the pipe of peace," he began ; " but 
your ways are not our ways, or your no- 
tions our notions — we have nothing in 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



59 



common. Go as you came; we wish to 
have no communication with you. We 
desire not to desert our fathers' ways as 
you have done ; yet, undoubtedly, the 
Spirit you serve w" piv '3t you — go— fo 



-go, 



?> 



In vain Peter entreated the savages to 
hear him once again, assuring them that 
he would tell them only what was for 
their good. One by one they quitted the 
spot where the council had been held ; 
the first walked off with becoming dig- 
nity, but, as more departed, the pace of 
each in succession increased, till the last 
scampered off almost as fast as his legs 
would carry him, fearful lest he should 
be overtaken by the strangg medicine 
man, whose supposed incantations he 
dreaded. Peter was loss astonished than 
a white man would have been at the be- 
havior of his countrymen. Still, he had 
gained an unexpected triumph. The Da- 



.*■ 






< 'J 



60 



BOB NIXON, 



kotahs did not stop, even to look behind 
tiiem, but continued their course towards 
the west, through the wood and across 
the prairie, till they were lost to sight 
in the distance. The old hunter, to his 
surprise, saw Peter fall on his knees, on 
the spot where he had been standing, 
to return thanks to Heaven for his de- 
liverance from a danger, far greater than 
it might appear to those unacquainted 
with Indian customs, for seldom or never 
do two parties of the Dakotahs and Ojib- 
ways encounter each other, without the 
stronger endeavoring to destroy the weaker 
with the most remorseless cruelty. Mercy 
is never asked for nor expected. The scalp- 
ing knife is employed on the yet living 
victim, should the tomahawk have left 
its work unfinished. 






•i.:5K 



-'S^\ 



.^ ■'•^^. 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPBB. 



61 



' ' '^ 



CHAPTEE III. 

" Well, you are a wonderful man, friend 
Peter," exclaimed Robert Nixon, when the 
Indian returned to hini and narrated what 
had occurred ; " I nev6r yet hare seen the 
like of it.'' 

"The reason is simply this, father, most 
men trust to their own strength and wis- 
dom, and fail. I go forth in the strength 
of One all-powerful, and seek for guidance 
from One all-wise," answered the Indian, 
humbly. " It is thus I succeed." 

"That's curious, what you say, friend 
Redskin," answered the old man in a 
puzzled tone; "it's beyond my under- 
standing, that's a fact." 

"The time will come shortly, I hope, 






(I 



62 



BOB NIXON, 



father, when you will see the truth of what 
I say. But we must no longer delay here, 
we should be moving on." 

The mustang was caught and saddled, the 
old hunter placed on it, and once more the 
two travellers were on their way eastward, 
or rather to the northeast, for that was the 
general direction of their course. They 
were compelled, however, to diverge con- 
siderably, in order to keep along the 
course of streams, where many important 
advantages could be obtained : water, wood 
for firing, shelter, and a greater supply of 
game. On the open prairie there was no 
want of deer of several descriptions, and 
of small animals, like rabbits or hares ; 
but, unless by leaving the horse with his 
burden, the Indian could seldom get near 
enough to shoot them. ' 

For some distance the- open country 
was of a sterile and arid description ; but 
as they got further away from the United 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



63 



States border it greatly improved, and a 
well-watered region, with rich grass and 
vetches, was entered, which extended 
north, and east, and west, in every di- 
rection, capable of supporting hundreds 
and thousands of flocks and herds, for 
the use of man, although now roamed 
over only by a comparatively few wild 
buffalo, deer, wolves, and bears. 

Although they were in British territory, 
the arm of British law did not extend over 
this wild region, and Peter, therefore, kept 
a constant look-out to ascertain that no lurk- 
ing enemies were near at hand. When he 
camped at night, also, he selected the most 
sheltered spot he could find, and concealed 
his companion and himself amid some 
thicket or rock, where any casual passer- 
by would not be likely to discover them. 

At first, as Peter watched his companion, 
he thought that he would scarcely reach a 
place of safety, where he might die in peace 



64 



BOB NIXON, 



I ! 



among civilized men ; but gradually the old 
hunter's strength returned, and each day, as 
he travelled on, his health seemed to im- 
prove. He also became more inclined to 
talk ; not only to ask questions, but to speak 
of himself. Eeligious subjects, however, he 
avoided as much as possible ; indeed, to 
human judgment, his mind appeared too 
darkened, and his heart too hardened, to 
enable him to comprehend even the simplest 
truths. 

" You'd like to know something about me, 
friend Redskin, I've no doubt," said the old 
man to Peter, when one day he had got into 
a more than usually loquacious mood. " It's 
strange, but it's a fact, I've a desire to talk 
about my early days, and yet, for forty 
years or more, maybe, I've never thought 
of them, much less spoken about them. I 
was raised in the old country — that's where 
most of the pale-faces you see hereabouts 
came from. My father employed a great 



4. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



85 



many men, and so I may say he was a chief; 
he was a farmer of the old style, and hated 
any thing new. He didn't hold education 
in any great esteem, and so he took no pains 
to give me any, and one thing I may say, I 
took no pains to obtain it. My mother, of 
that I am certain, was a kind, good woman, 
and did her best to instruct me. She taught 
me to sing little songs, and night and morn- 
ing made me kneel down, with my hands 
put together, and say over some words which 
I then thought very good — and I am sure 
they were, as she taught me them ; but I 
have long, long ago forgotten what they 
were. She also used to take me with her to 
a large, large house, where there were a 
great number of people singing and often 
talking together; and then there was oua 
man in a black dress, who got up in a high 
place in the middle, and had all the talk to 
himself for a long time, I used to think ; but 

I didn't mind that as I used generally to go 

6» 



I 



66 



ROB NIXON, 



to sleep when he began, and only woke up 
when he had done. 

" I was very happy whenever I was with 
my mother, but I didn't see her for some 
days, and then they took me into the room 
where she slept, and there I saw her lying 
on a bed ; but she didn't speak to me, she 
didn't even look at me, for her eyes were 
closed, and her cheek was cold — very cold. 
I didn't know then what had happened, 
though I cried very much. I never saw her 
again. From that time I began to be very 
miserable ; I don't know why ; I think it was 
not having my mother to go to and talk to. 

"After that I don't know exactly what 
happened to me ; for some time I got scold- 
ed, arid kicked, and beaten, and then I was 
sent to a place where there were a good 
many other boys ; and, thinks I to myself, I 
shall be happier here ; but instead of that I 
was much more beaten and scolded, till I 
got a feeling that I didn't care what I did, 



4- 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPFEB. 



67 



or what became of me. That feeling never 
left me. I was always ready to do any 
thing proposed by other boys, such as rob- 
bing orchards, or playing all sorts of pranks. 

" I now and then went home to see my 
father; but I remember very little about 
him, except that he was a stout man, with a 
ruddy countenance. If he did not scold me 
and beat me, he certainly did not say much 
to me ; I never felt towards him as I had 
done towards my mother. 

" I must have been a biggish boy, though 
I was still nearly at the bottom of the school, 
when another lad and I got into some 
scrape, and were to be flogged. He pro- 
posed that we should run away, and I at 
once agreed, without considering where we 
should run to, or what we should gain by 
our run. There is a saying among the pale- 
faces, * out of the frying pan into the fire.' 
. "We soon found that we had got into a very 
hot fire. 



I 

■I 



/ 



68 



ROB NIXON, 



• "After many days' running, sleeping 
under hedges and in barns, and living on 
turnips and crusts of bread, which we bought 
with the few pence we had in our pockets, 
we reached a seaport town. Seeing a large 
ship about to sail, we agreed that we would 
be sailors, if any one would take us. We 
were very hungry and hadn't a coin left to 
buy food, so aboard we went. The ship was 
just sailing, — the cook's boy had run away, 
and the captain's cabin-boy had just died, — 
and so we were shipped, without a question 
being asked, to take their places. They 
didn't inquire our names, but called us Bill 
and Tom, which were the names of the other 
boys. The captain took me into his service, 
and called me Bill ; and my companion, who 
fell to the cook, was called Tom. I don't 
know which was the most miserable. Tom 
had the dirtiest and hardest work, and wai 
not only the cook's but everybody else's 
servant. I received the most kicks and 



^.' 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEE. 



69 



thrashings, and had the largest amount of 
oaths and curses showered down on my head. 
We were both of us very ill, but our mas- 
ters didn't care for that, and kicked us up to 
work whenever they found us lying down. 

" Away we sailed ; we thought that we 
should never come to land again. I didn't 
know where we were going, but I found we 
were steering towards the south and west. 
Week after week I saw a wild, high head- 
land on our right hand, and then we had 
mist, and snow, and heavy weather, and 
were well-nigh driven back ; but at last we 
were steering north, and the weather became 
fine and pleasant. The ship put into many 
strange ports ; some were in this big coun- 
try of America, and some were in islands, so 
we heard ; but neither Tom nor I was ever, 
for one moment, allowed to set foot on shore. 
Often and often did we bitterly repent our 
folly, and wish ourselves back home ; but 
wishing was of no use. We found that 






4 



10 



ROB mxoN, 



! ♦ 






we were slaves, without the possibility of 
escape. 

" Tom, who had more learning by a great 
deal than I had, said one day that he would 
go and appeal to the consul, — ^I think he 
was called, a British officer at the port 
where we lay, — ^when the mate, who heard 
him, laughed, and told him, with an oath, 
that he might go and complain to whomso- 
ever he liked; but that both he and Bill 
had signed papers, and had no power to get 
away. By this Tom knew that if we com- 
plained the captain would produce the papers 
signed by the other boys, and that we should 
be supposed to be them, and have no 
remedy. Tom then proposed that we should 
play all sorts of pranks, and behave as badly 
as we could. We tried the experiment, but 
we soon found that we had made a mistake ; 
for our masters beat and starved us till we 
were glad to promise not again do the 
same. 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



11 



" Our only hope was that we should some 
day get a chance of running away ; and, if 
it hadn't been for that, we should, I believe, 
have jumped overboard and drowned our- ' 
selves. Month after month passed by, the 
ship continued trading from port to port in 
the Pacific Ocean, — as the big lake you've 
heard speak of, friend Redskin, is called, — 
over to the west there ; but the chance we 
looked for never came. We then hoped 
that the ship would be cast away, and that 
so we might be free of our tyrants. If all 
had been drowned but ourselves we shouldn't 
have cared. 

"At last, after we'd been away three 
years or more, we heard that the ship was 
going home. We didn't conceal our pleas- 
ure. It didn't last long. Another captain 
came on board one day. I heard our cap- 
tain observe to him, ' You shall have them 
both at a bargain. Thrash them well, and 
I'll warrant you'll get work out of them,* 






% 



72 



BOB NIXON, 



I didn't know what he meant at the 
time. 

" In the evening, when the strange cap- 
tain's boat was called away, Tom and I were 
ordered to get up our bags and jump in. 
We refused, and said we wanted to go home. 
We had better have kept silence. Down 
came a shower of blows on our shoulders, 
and amid the jeers and laughter of our ship- 
mates, we weie forced into the boat. We 
found ourselves aboard a whaler just come 
out, with the prospect of remaining in those 
parts three years at least. 

"You've heard speak, Peter, of the 
mighty fish of the big lake. The largest 
sturgeon you ever set eyes on is nothing to 
them — just a chipmonk to a buffalo. We had 
harder and dirtier work now than before — 
catching, cutting out, and boiling down the 
huge whales — and our masters were still 
more cruel and brutal. We wore beaten 
and knocked about worse than ever, and 



THE OLD WHITB TBAPPEB. 



rs 



often well-nigh starved by having our 
rations taken from us. How we managed 
to live through that time I don't know. I 
scarcely like to think of it. The ship sailed 
about in every direction ; soraetir 3S where 
the sun was so hot that we could scarce bear 
our clothes on our backs, and sometimes 
amid floating mountains of ice, with snow 
and sleet beating down on us. 

"At last, when we had got our ship 
nearly full of oil, and it was said that we 
should soon go home, we put into a port, on 
the west coast of this continent, to obtain 
fresh provisions. There were a few white 
people settled there, but most of the inhabi- 
tants were red-skins. The white men had 
farms, ranchos. they were called, and the 
natives worked for them. 

" Tom and I agreed that, as the ship was 
soon going home, tlie captain would prob- 
ably try to play off the same trick on us 
that our first captain had done, and so 



u 



ROB NIXON, 



we determined to be beforehand with 
liim. We were now big, strongish fel- 
lows; not as strong as we might have 
been if we had been better fed and less 
knocked about ; but still we thought that 
we could take good care of ourselves. 
"We hadn't much sense though, or know- 
ledge of what people on shore do ; for 
how should we, when you see that since 
the day we left our native country, when 
we were little ignorant chaps, we hadn't 
once set our feet on dry land. Tom swore, 
and so did I, that if we once did reach the 
shore, we'd get away as far from the ocean 
as we could, and never again smell a breath 
of it as long as we lived. How to get there 
was the difficulty. We had always before 
been watched ; and so, to throw our ship- 
mates off their guard, we pretended to 
think of nothing but about going home ; 
and our talk was all of what we would 
do when we got back to old England, 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



75 



We said that we were very much afraid 
of the savages on shore, and wondered 
any one could like to go among them. 
After a time, we found that we were no 
longer watched as we used to be. This 
gave us confidence. The next thing was 
to arrange how we were to get on shore. 
We neither of us could swim; and, be- 
sides, the distance was considerable, and 
there were sharks — fish which can bite a 
man's leg off as easily as a white-fish 
bites a worm in two. We observed that, 
in the cool of the evening, some boats 
and canoes used to pull round the ship, 
and sometimes came alongside to offer 
things for sale to the men. Tom and I 
agreed that if we could jump into one 
of them, while the owner was on board, 
we might get off without being discov- 
ered. 

"Night after night we waited, till our 
hearts sunk witliin us, thinking we should 



76 



ROB NIXON, 



never succeed j but, the very night before 
the ship was to sail, several people came 
below, and, while they were chaffering with 
the men, Tom and I slipped up on deck. 
My heart seemed ready to jump out of 
my skin with anxiety as I looked over 
the side. There, under the fore-chains, 
was a canoe with a few things in her, 
but no person. I glanced round. The 
second mate was the only man on deck 
besides Tol>, who had gone over to the 
other side. I beckoned to Tom. The 
mate had his back to us, being busily 
engaged in some work or other, over 
which he was bending. Tom sprang over 
to me, and together we slid down into 
the canoe. The ship swung with her 
head towards the shore, or the mate 
would have seen us. We pulled as for 
our lives ; not, however, for the usual 
landing-place, but for a little bay on one 
side, where it appeared that we could 



THE OLD WHITE TBAFPER. 



11 



easily get on shore. Every moment we 
expected to see a boat put off from the 
ship to pursue us, or a gun fired; but 
the sun had set, and it was grow'ng 
darker and darker, and that gave us 
some hope. Still we could be seen 
clearly enough from the ship if anybody 
was looking for us. The mate had a 
pair of sharp eyes. 

" ' He'll flay us alive if he catches us,' 
said I. 

" * Kever,' answered Tom, in a low tone ; 
*ril jflm^ overboard and be drowned, 
whenever I see a boat make chase after 
us.' 

"*Don'c do that, Tom,' said I; 'hold 
on to the last. They can but kill us in 
the end, and we don't know what may 
happen to give us a chance of escape.' 

" You see, friend Peter, that has been my 
maxim ever since ; and I've learned to know 
for certain that that is the right thing. Well, 






78 



ROB NIXON, 



before long we did see a boat leave the ship. 
It was too dark to learn who had gone over 
the side into her. We pulled for dear life 
for a few seconds, when Tom cried out that 
he knew we should be taken. I told him to 
lie down in the bottom of the canoe, and that 
if the ship's boat came near us I would strip 
off my shirt and pretend to be an Injun. At 
first he wouldn't consent ; but, as the boat 
came on, some muskets were fired, and sud- 
denly he said he'd do as I proposed, and he 
lay down, and I stripped off my shirt, and 
smoothed down my hair, which was tus long 
as an Injun's. On came the boat. I pulled 
coolly on, as if in no way concerned. The 
boat came on — she ueared us. Kow or 
never, I thought; so I sang out, in a feigned 
voice, and pointed with my paddle towards 
the other side of the harbor. 

" I don't think I ever felt as I did at that 
moment. Did they know me, or should I 
deceive them? If the mate was there, I 



THE OLD WHITE TBAFFEB. 



79 



knew that we should have no chance. 
The people in the boat ceased pulling. 
I didn't move either, though the canoe, 
with the last stroke I had given, slid on. 
Again I pointed with my paddle, gave a 
flourish with it, and away I went as if I 
had no business with them. I could not 
understand how I had so easily deceived 
my shipmates, and every instant I expected 
them to be after us. 

'^ At last we lost sight of them in the 
gloom ; but Tom, even then, was unwilling 
to get up and take his paddle. I told him 
that, if he didn't, we should have a greater 
chance of being caught. The moment I said 
that, up he jumped, and paddled away so 
hard that I could scarcely keep the canoe in 
the right course for the place where we 
wanted to land. The stars helped us with 
their light ; and, as we got close in with 
the shore, we found the mouth of a 
stream. 



80 



BOB NIXON, 



/ 



.<?" Though we had so longed to get on 
shore, we felt afraid to land, not knowing 
what we should do with ourselves. The 
shore looked so strange, and we expected 
to see all sorts of wild animals and snakes, 
which we had heard talk of. Tom was the 
most timid. 

" ' It was bad aboard. Bill,' said he, * but 
if we was to meet a bear or a buffalo, what 
should we do?' 

" 1 couldn't just answer him ; but, when 
we found the river, we agreed that we would 
pull up it as far as we could go, and it would 
carry us some way into the country, at all 
events. - 

" We little knew the size of this mighty 
land, or of the big, long, long rivers run- 
ning for hundreds of miles through it. This 
America of yours is a wonderful country, 
friend Kedskin, if you did but know it. 

" Well, up the river we pulled for some 
miles ; it was but a mere brook, you'll un- 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



81 



derstand, but we thought it a great river. 
It was silent enough, for there were no habi- 
tations except a few native wigwams. We 
had all the night before us ; that was one 
thing in our favor. As on we went, we 
heard a roaring, splashing noise, which in- 
creased. 

"• ' Hillo ! here's a heavy sea got up ; I see 
it right ahead,' cried Tom. 

" ' We must go through it, however,' 
said I; and so I tried to paddle the 
canoe through it. 

" We very nearly got swamped ; it was, 
you see, a waterfall and rapid, and higher 
up, even, our canoe could not have floated. 
We now agreed that go on shore we must, 
like it or not ; I stepped out first, and then 
helped Tom, or in his fright he would have 
capsized the canoe. 

" There we were both of us on firm ground 
for the first time since, as little boys, we 
left old England. I did fell strange, and 



./ 



BOB NIXON, 



when I tried to walk, I could scarcely get 
along. Tom rolled about as if he was drunk, 
hardly able to keep his feet. The rough 
ground hurt us, and we were every instant 
knocking our toes and shins against stumps 
and fallen branches. "We both of us sat 
down ready to cry. 

"'How shall we ever get along?' asked 
Tom. 

'♦'We shall get accustomed to it,' I an- 
swered ; ' but it does make me feel very 
queer.' 

" We found a good supply of provisions in 
the canoe, and we loaded ourselves with as 
much as we could carry ; and we then had 
the sense to lift our canoe out of the water, 
and to carry her some way, till we found a 
thick bush in which we hid her. 

"'If they find out we got away in the 
canoe, they'll think we are drowned, and not 
take the trouble to look for us,' observed 
Tom, as we turned our backs on the spot. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



83 



"We were pretty heavily laden, for we 
didn't know where we might next find any 
food ; and as we walked on we hurt our feet 
more and more, till Tom roared out with 
pain, and declared he would go no further. 

"'Then we shall be caught and flayed 
alive, that's all, Tom,' said I. * But let us 
see if we can't mend matters ; here, let us 
cut off the sleeves of our jackets and .bind 
them round our feet.' 

" We did so, and when we again set-off, 
we found that we could walk much better 
than before. 

"We hadn't been so many yeare at f^ca 
without learning how to steer by the stars. 
What we wanted was to get to the east ; as 
far from the sea and our hated ship as possi- 
ble — that one thought urged us on. Through 
brushwood, which tore our scanty clothes to 
shreds ; and over rough rocks, which wound- 
ed our feet ; and across marshes and streams, 
which wetted us well nigh from head to 



% 



/ 



/ 



84 



ROB NIXON, 



foot, we pushed our way for some hours — 
it seemed to us the whole night — till we got 
into an Indian track. We didn't know 
what it was at the time, but found it was an 
easy path ; so we followed it up at full speed. 
On we ran ; we found that it led in the right 
direction, and that's all we thought of. 

" Unaccustomed to running or walldng as 
we were, it seems surprising how we should 
have held out; but the truth is, it was fear 
helped us along, and a burning desire to be 
free. Daylight found us struggling up a 
high hill or ridge, rather running north and 
south; we reached the top just as the sun 
rose above a line of lofty and. distant moun- 
tains. We turned round for a moment to 
look on the far-off blue waters which lay 
stretched out below us, and on which we had 
spent so large a portion of our existence. 

"*I've had enough of it,' cried Tom, 
fiercely shaking his fist ; and then we turned 
along again, and rushed down the ridge 



Oif. i 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



85 



towards the east. It was the last glimpse I 
ever had of the wide ocean. 

" Still we did not consider ourselves safe. 
We should have liked to have put a dozen 
such ridges between our tyrants and our- 
selves. 

"On we went again till at last our ex- 
hausted strength failed, and we stopped to 
take some food. Once having sat down, it 
was no easy matter to get up again ; and be- 
fore we knew what was happening, we were 
b©th fast asleep. We must have slept a 
good many hours, and I dreamed during 
that time that the mate, and cook, and a 
dozen seamen were following us with flen- 
sing-knives, and handspikes, and knotted 
ropes, shrieking and shouting at our ]ieels. 
We ran, and ran for our lives, just as we 
had been running all night, but they were 
always close behind us. The mate — oh! 
how I dreaded him — had his hand on my 

shoulder, and was giving a growl of satisfac- 

8 



sv 



86 



EOB NIXON, 



^f 



tion at having caught me, when I awoke ; 
and, looking up, saw not the mate, but the 
most terrible-looking being I had ever set 
eyes on, so I thought. 

*' I had, to be sure, seen plenty of savages 
w!ij vdxne off to the ship from the islands at 
whic]> we used to touch, but they were 
ncj: of them so fierce ai he looked. I 
won s; describe him, because he was simply 
a red-skin warrior in his war paint and 
feathers. It was his hand that was on my 
shoulder ; his grunt of surprise at finding us 
awoke me. I cried out, and Tom and I 
jumped to our feet and tried to run away; 
a dozen Indians, however, surrounded us, 
and escape was impossible. *" 

" * Let us put a bold face on the matter, 
Tom,' I sang out ; * I don't think they mean 
to kill us.' ^ 

" Our captors talked a little together, and 
they seemed pleased with the way we 
looked at them, for they showed us hj signs 



Hi ! 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



87 



that they meant us no evil. They were a 
portion of a war-party on their way to de- 
stroy the pale-face settlement on the coast 
They guessed by our dress and looks, and 
from our clothes being torn, that we were 
runaway English seamen; and, knowing 
that we should not wish to go back to our 
ship, considered that we should prove of 
more value to them alive, thar our scalps 
would be if they took them. We under- 
stood them to say that they wanted us to go 
with them to attack their enemies, but we 
showed them by our feet that we could not 
walk a step, and as they were not ill-tem- 
pered people they did not insist on it. 
After a talk they lifted us up — two taking 
Tom, and two me between them — and car- 
ried us along at a quick rate for some miles 
to their camp ; there we saw a large num- 
ber of Indians collected, some armed with 
bows, and some few with fire-arms. 
"There were a few women, in whose 



It 



88 



ROB NIXON, 



% 



charge we were placed. "We could not 
make out whether we were considered pris- 
oners or not; at all events, we could not 
run away. Leaving us, the whole party set 
forth towards the west on their expedition. 

"Two days passed, and then, with loud 
shoutings, and shriekings, and firing of mus- 
kets, the party appeared, with numerous 
scalps at the end of their spears, and some 
wretched captives driven before them. I 
remember, even now, how I felt that night, 
when the war-dance was danced, and the 
prisoners tortured; how fearfully the men, 
and even the women, shrieked, and how the 
miserable people who had been taken, as 
they were bound to stakes, writhed under 
the tortures inflicted on them. "While we 
looked on, Tom and I wished ourselves back 
again, even on board the ship, thinking that 
we ourselves might next be treated in the 
same manner. 

"At last the savages brought fire, and then, 



•* 
\ 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



89 



as the flames blazed up, we saw three people 
whom we knew well — the captain, and mate, 
and one of the men, who had been among 
the worst of our tyrants. Though their facee 
were distorted with agony and horror, as the 
light fell on them, there was no doubt about 
the matter. They might have seen us. If 
they did, it must have added to their misery. 
They had come on shore to visit some of the 
settlers, we concluded, and, at all events, 
were found fighting with them. 

" We got accustomed, after a time, to such 
scenes, and learned to think little of them, 
as you doubtless do, friend Peter; but at 
that time I went off in a sort of swoon, as 
the shrieks and cries for mercy of the burn- 
ing wretches reached my ears. 

"The Indians had got a great deal 
of booty, and having taken full revenge 
for the injury done them, and expect- 
ing that they would be hunted out if 

they remained in the neighborhood, they 

-7 8* 



-^ 



i 



90 



ROB NIXON, 



judged it wise to remove to an otter part 
of the country. 

" Our feet had sufficiently recovered during 
the rest of two days to enable us to walk, or 
I am not certain that we should not have 
been killed, to save our captors the trouble 
of carrying us. 

" It took us a week to reach the main camp, 
where most of the women and children were 
collected. We limped on, with difficulty 
and pain, thus far concealing our sufferings 
as much m we could. "We could not have 
gone a mile further, had not the tribe re- 
mained here to decide on their future course. 
The rest, and the care the women took of us, 
sufficiently restored our strength to enable 
us to move on with the tribe to the new 
ground they proposed taking up. 

"Your Indian ways, friend Peter, were 
very strange to us at first, but by degrees we 
got into them, and showed that we were 
every bit as good men as the chief braves 



THE OLD WHITK TRAPPER. 



91 



rere 
we 

rere ^ 
Lvea 



themselves. Whatever they did, we tried to 
do, and succeeded as well as they, except in 
tracking an enemy, and that we never could 
come up with. They, atHrst, trta '^d us as 
slaves, and made us work for thei as they 
did their women ; but when they saw what 
sort of lads we were, they began to treat us 
with respect, and soon learned to look upon 
us as their equals. 

" We both of us became very diflferent to 
what we were at sea, Tom especially. There 
we were cowed by our task-masters; here 
we felt ourselves free men ; and Tom, who 
was looked upon as an arrant coward on 
board ship, was now as brave as the bravest 
warrior of the tribe. We were braver, in- 
deed ; for while they fought Indian fashion, 
behind trees, we would rush on, and never 
failed to put our enemies to flight. 

" We were of great service to our friends 
in assisting them to establish themselves in 
their new territory, and to defend them- 




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92 



BOB NIXON, 



selves against the nnmerous foes whom they 
very soon contrived to make. Still, we held 
oar own, and our friends increased in num- 
bers and power. 

" Our chief was ambitious, and used every 
means to add fresh members to his tribe by 
inducing those belonging to other tribes to 
join us. • His object, which was very clear, 
excited the jealousy of a powerful chief es- 
pecially, of the great Dakotah nation, in- 
habiting the country northeast of our terri- 
tory. He, however, disguised his intentions, 
and talked us into security by pretending the 
greatest friendship. Through his means, our 
other enemies ceased to attack us, and we 
began to think that the hatchet of war was 
buried for ever. 

"Tom and I had been offered wives — 
daughters of chiefs — and we had agreed to 
take them to our lodges, when we both of 
us set out on a hunting expedition to pro- 
cure game for our marriage feast, and skins 



THE OLD WHITB TRAPPEB. 



93 



to 
of 
ro- 



to pay for the articles we required. We had 
great succeus, and were returning in high 
spirits, when night overtook us, within a 
short distance of the village. "We camped 
where we were, as we would not travel in 
the dark, hoping to enter it the next morn- 
ing in triumph. 

"About midnight, both Tom and I started 
from our sleep, we knew not why. Through 
the night air there came faint sounds of cries, 
and shrieks, and shouts, and warlike noises. 
We thought it must be fancy ; but presently, 
as we stood listening, there burst forth a 
bright light in the direction of the village, 
which went on increasing, till it seemed that 
every lodge must be on fire. What could 
we do ? Should we hasten on to help our 
friends ? 

" It was too late to render them any as- 
sistance. We must wait till daylight to 
learn what way the foe had gone, and how 
we 9^uld best help our friends ; so we stood 



L \ 



94 



BOB NIXON, 



watching the flames with grief and anger, 
till they sunk down for want of fuel. 

" "We had not lived so long with Indians 
without having learned some of their cau- 
tion, and, concealing our game and skins, as 
soon as it was dawn we crept on towards the 
village. 

" As we drew near, not a sound was heard 
-—not even the bark of a dog. We crept 
amid the bushes on hands and feet, closer 
and closer, when, from a wooded knoll, we 
could look down on the lately happy vil- ' 
lage, or, I should say, on the spot where it 
lately stood. 

« By the gray light of the morning a scene 
of desolation and bloodshed was revealed to 
us, which, in all my experience of warfare, 
I have never seen equalled. Every lodge 
was burned to the ground ; here and there 
a few blackened posts alone remaining to 
show where they once stood ; but a burnt 
village I have often seen. It was the sight of ^ 



i 



,.'. • •■*''*"'*.— '-^^ 



THE OLD WHTTB TBAPPEB. 



95 



the mangled and blackened bodies of our 
late friends and companions, thickly strewed 
over the ground, which froze the blood in our 
veins. For some moments we could scarcely 
find breath to whisper to each other. When 
we did, we reckoned up the members of the 
tribe, men, women, and children, and then 
counting the bodies on the ground, we found 
that our foes had killed every one of them, 
with the exception of perhaps a dozen, who 
might have been carried off. This told us, 
too correctly, how the event had occurred. 

^^ In the dead of night the village had been 
surrounded, torches thrown into it, and, as 
the peop>e rushed out confused, they were 
murdered indiscriminately — old and young, 
women and children. Were our intended 
wives among them? We almost wished 
they were ; but we dared not descend to as- 
certain. The place was no longer for us. 

" ' I wish that I was back in England, 
Tom,' said L 



t 



96 



BOB NIXON. 



" * So do I, Bill, right heartily,' said he. 

" 'East or west, Tom V said I. 

" * Not west ! — no, no !' he answered, with 
a shudder, ' we might be caught by another 
whaler.' 

" ' East, then,' said I, pointing to the rising 
sun ; * we may get there some day, but it's a 
long way, I've a notion.' 

" ' If we keep moving on, we shall get 
there though, long as it may be,' said 
Tom. 

" So we crept back to where we had left 
our goods, and having taken food for a 
couple of days, we went and hid ourselves 
in some thick bushes, where we hoped our 
enemies would not find us. 

" For two days and nights we lay hid, and 
on the third morning we agreed that we 
might as well chance it as stay where we 
were, when the sound of voices, and of 
people moving through the woods, reached 
our ears, and, peeping out, we saw Several 



THB OLD WHITE TBAPPBB. 



07 



md 
iwe 
I we 
of 
led 
iral 



waniors passing along at no great distance. 
FroDi the way they moved, we knew that 
they weTe not looking for any one, nor be- 
lieving that any enemy was near ; but still, 
should any one of their quick eyes fall on 
our trail, they would discover us in an 
instant. 

" I never felt my scalp sit more uneasy on 
my head. Suddenly they stopped and looked 
about ; I thought that it was all over with 
us ; the keen eyes of one of them, especially, 
seemed to pierce through the very thicket 
where we lay. We scarcely dared to breathe, 
lest we should betray ourselves. Had there 
been only five or six, we might have sprung 
out and attacked them with some chance of 
success ; but there were a score at least, and 
more might be following, and so the odds 
were too great. They were most of them 
adorned with bcalps — those of our slaugh- 
tered friends, we did not doubt, and we 

longed to be avenged on them. On they 

ft 






98 



BOB NIXON, 



came ; and jnst as we thought that we had 
seen the end of them, more appeared, and 
several of them looked towards us. 

"How we escaped discovery, I do not 
know. Long after the last had passed on 
into the forest, we came out of our hiding- 
place, and, gathering up all our property, 
prepared to commence our journey. We 
pushed on as fast as our legs would carry 
US, every moment expecting to come upon 
some of our enemies, or to have them 
pouncing out upon us from among the trees 
or rocks. AH day we pushed on, almost 
without stopping, and For several days rest- 
ing only during the hours of darkness, till 
at last we hoped that we had put a sufHcient 
distance between our enemies and ourselves 
to escape an attack. 

" We now camped, to catch more game, 
and to make arrangements for our course. 

"We had got some little learning at 
Bchool, though most of it was forgotten ; but 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



99 



we remembered enough to make us know 
that England was to the northeast of ns, and 
80 wo determined to travel on in that direc- 
tion. 

" I won't tell you now all about our jour- 
ney. 

" We had not got far before we found the 
country so barren, that we were obliged to 
keep to the north, which brought us into the 
territory owned by the Dakotah people. 
We knew nothing of the way then, except 
from the accounts picked up over the camp- 
fires of our former friends, and we had man- 
aged hitherto to keep out of the way of all 
strangers. We were ignorant, too, of the 
great distance we were from England ; and 
of another thing we were not aware, and 
that was, of the cold of winter. « 

' "We were still travelling on, when the 
nights became so cold, that we could scarcely 
keep ourselves from freezing, though sleep- 
ing close to our camp-fires. It got colder. 



' 



100 



BOB NIXON, 



and colder, and then down came the snow, 
and we found that winter had really set in. 
To travel on was impossible ; so we built 
ourselves a lodge, and tried to trap and kill 
animals enough to last us for food until the 
snow should disappear. They became, how- 
ever, scarcer and scarcer, and we began to 
fear that the supply of food we had collected 
would not last us out till summer. We 
had, however, a good number of skins, and, 
though we had intended to sell them, we 
made some warm clothing of them instead. 

" "We had too much to do during the day, 
in hunting and collecting wood for our fire, 
to allow of the time hanging very heavy on 
our hands. At first, we got on very well, 
but our fbod decreased faster than we had 
calculated ; and then Tom fell down from a 
rock, and hurt himself so much, that I could 
scarcely get him home. 

" While he was in this state, I fell sick ; 
and there we two were, in the middle of a 



\ 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



101 



desert, without any one to help ns. Tom 
grew worse, and I could just crawl out from 
our bed of skins and leaves to heap up wood 
on our fire, and to cook our food. That 
was growing less and less every day, and 
starvation stared us in the face. Our wood, 
too, could not hold out much longer; and 
though there was plenty at a little distance, 
I was too weak to go out and fetch it, and 
cut it up, and poor Tom could not even 
stand upright. 

" Day by day our stock of food decreased. 
All was gone ! There was wood enough to 
keep our fire alight another day ; and then 
we knew that in one, or, at most, two days 
more, we must be starved or frozen to 
death. Tom groaned out that he wished 
we had but a bottle of rum to keep us 
warm, and drive away dreadful thoughts. 
So did I wish we had. That was a hard 
time, friend Peter." 

" Fire-water I Was that all you thought 



102 



BOB mxoN, 



of? Did you never pray ? Did you never 
ask God to deliver you ?" inquired the In- 
dian, in a tone of astonishment. 

" No ! "What had God to do with us poor 
chaps, in that out-of-the-way place? He 
wouldn't have heard us if we had prayed ; 
and, besides, we had long ago forgotten to 
pray," answered the old man, in an uncon- 
cerned tone. 

"Ah! but He would have heard you; 
depend on that. The poor and destitute 
are the very people He delights to help," 
observed the Indian. "Ah I old friend, you 
little know what God is, when you fancy 
that He would not have heard you." 

As he spoke, he produced a Testament in 
the Ojibway tongue, from which he read 
the words, " God is love ;" and added, " This 
is part of the Bible, which your countrymen, 
the missionaries, have translated for us into 
our tongue." 

*'AyI maybe," remarked the old man, 



\. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



103 



after considering a time ; ** I remember 
about the Bible when I was a boy, and it's 
all true ; but I don't fancy God could have 
cared for us." 

" Why ? is that wisdom you speak, old 
friend?" exclaimed Peter. "See God did 
care for you, though you did not even ask 
Him, or you wouldn't be alive this day. 
He has cared for you all your life long. 
You have already told me many things 
which showed it, and I doubt not if you 
were to tell me every thing that has hap- 
pened to you since you can remember up to 
the present day, many, many more would 
be found to prove it. "Was it God's love 
which sent me to you when you were on 
the point of death, or Was it His hatred ? 
Was it God's love which softened the hearts 
of the Sioux towards us ? Come, go on with 
your history. I doubt not that the very 
next thing that you have to tell me will 
prove what I say." 



104 



BOB NIXON, 



1 



" Well, friend Kedskin, what you say may 
be true, and I don't wish to differ with 
you," answered the hunter, still apparently 
unmoved. 

" As I was saying, Tom and I expected 
nothing but starvation. It was coming, too, 
I have an idea ; for my part I had got so 
bad that I did not know where we "v^ere, or 
what had happened. The hut was dark, for 
I had closed up the hole we came in and out 
at with snow and bundles of dry grass, or 
we should very quickly have been frozen to 
death. 

"The last thing I recollect was feeling 
cold — very cold. Suddenly a stream of 
light burst in on my eyes, and, that waking 
me up, I saw several Indians, in full war- 
dress, standing looking at Tom and me. I 
felt as if I did not care whether they scalped 
me or not : I was pretty well past all feel- 
ing. One of them, however, poured some- 
thing down my throat, and then down 



i 



X 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



105 



Tom's throat : it did Dot seem stronger than 
water, though it revived me. 

" I then saw that their looks were kind, 
and that they meant us no harm. The truth 
was that our forlorn condition touched their 
hearts. It is my opinion, friend Peter, that 
nearly all men's hearts can be moved, if 
touched at the right time. These men were 
Sioux — very savage, I'll allow — but just 
then they were returning home from a 
great meeting, where, by means of a white 
man, certain matters were settled to their 
satisfaction, and they felt, therefore, well 
disposed towards us. Who the white man 
was I don't know, except that he was not a 
trader, and was a friend of the Indians. 

" The Sioux gave us food, and lighted our 
fife, and camped there for two days, till 
we were able to move on, and then took us 
along with them. We lived with them all 
the winter, and soon got into their ways. 

"When we proposed moving on, they 



106 



ROB NIXON, 



would, on no account, Hear of it, telling us 
that the distance was far greater than we 
supposed ; and that there were cruel, treach- 
erous white men between us and the sea, 
who were always making war on their 
people to drive them off their lands, and 
that they would certainly kill us. 

" The long and the short of it is, that Tom 
and I gave up our intention of proceeding ; 
and, having wives offered to us much to our 
taste, we concluded to stay where we were. 
Every day we got more accustomed to the 
habits of our new friends ; and we agreed 
also, that our friends in England would not 
know us, or own us, if we went back. "We 
were tolerably happy ; our wives bore us 
children ; and, to make a long story short, 
we have lived on with the same tribe ^er 
since. 

" Tom has grown stout and cannot join in 
the hunt, but his sons do, and supply him 
with food. If Tom had been with the rest, 



THE OLD WHTTB TRAPPER. 



107 



he would not have left the neighborhood of 
the ground where I fell, without searching 
for me. It is through he and I being 
together that I can still speak English, and 
recollect things about home and our early- 
days. We have been friends ever since we 
were boys, and never have we had a dis- 
pute. Four of my children died in infancy, 
and I have a son and a daughter. The only 
thing that tries me, is leaving Tom and 
them, for their mother is dead ; and yet I 
should like to go and hear more of the 
strange things you have told me about, and 
see somg^of my countrymen again before I 
die. They won't mourn long for the old 
man ; it is the lot of many to fall down and 
die in the wilds, as I shou d have died, if you 
hainot found me. Tom, maybe, will miss 
me ; but of late years, since he gave up 
hunting, we have often been separate, and 
he'll only feel as if I had been on a longer 
hunt than usual." 



108 



BOB KIXON, 



" And your children ?" said Peter. 

" They'll feel much like Tom, I suppose," 
answered the white hunter. "You know, 
friend Eedskin, that Injun children are not 
apt to care much for their old parents. 
Maybe I will send for them, or go for them, 
if I remain with the pale-faces." , 

The Indian was silent for some time. He 
then observed, gravely: "Maybe, old friend, 
that the merciful God, who has protected 
you throughout your life, may have ordered 
this event also for your benefit; yet, why 
do I say * maybe?' He orders all things 
for the best; this much I have learned 
respecting Him ; the wisest man can know 
no more." 

Were not the Indians of North America 
indued with a large amount of pati^ce, 
they could not get through the long jour- 
neys they often perform, nor live the life 
of trappers and hunters, nor execute the 
curious carved work which they produce. 



THE OLD WHITB TBAPPEB. 



109 



?> 



Patience is a virtue they possess in a won- 
derful degree. 

Day after day Peter travelled on, slowly, 
yet patiently, with his charge, at length 
reaching the banks of the Assiniboine Eiver, 
a large and rapid stream, which empties 
itself into the Ked River, at about the cen- 
tre of the Selkirk settlement. The banks, 
often picturesque, were, in most places, well 
clothed with a variety of trees, while the 
land on either side, although still in a state 
of nature, showed its fertility by the rich 
grasses and clover which covered it. The 
old hunter gazed with surprise. 

" Why, friend Peter, here thousands and 
thousands of people might live in plenty, 
with countless numbers of cattle and sheep !" 
he exclaimed. "I knew not that such a 
country existed in nny part of this region." 

"We are now on the territory of the 

English, a people who treat the red man 

as they should — as fellow-men, and with 
^ 10 



110 



BOB NIXOK^ 



justice," answered the Indian. "It may be 
God's will that, ere many years are over, all 
this vast land, east and west, may be peo- 
pled by them, still leaving ample room for 
the red men, who, no longer heathen hun- 
ters, may settle down in Christian commu- 
nities, as cultivators of the soil, or keepers 
of flocks and herds." 

Still more surprised was the old hunter 
when, a few days after this, they came 
upon several well-cultivated fields, and saw 
beyond them a widely scattered village of 
neat cottages, and the spire of a church 
rising amid them towards the blue sky. 

" What I are those the houses of English 
settlers?" asked the old man; "it will do 
my heart good to see some of my owu 
countrymen again." 

"You will see few of your countrymen 
here, father ; the inhabitants are settlers, 
truly, but nearly all my people. There 
is, howeverj here a good minister, and a 



« 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



Ill 



len 
lers, 
lere 
a 



schoolmaster, white men, who will wel- 
come you gladly. Their hearts are full 
of Christian love, or they would not come 
to live out here, far removed from rela- 
tives and friends, laboring for the souls' 
welfare of my poor countrymen." 

The old man shook his head. 

" No, no ; I have no desire to see a par- 
son. I remember well the long sermons— 
the last I ever heard was when I was at 
school — the parson used to give ; and I used 
to declare that when I was a man I would 
keep clear of them, on this account." 

" You would not speak so of our minister 
here, were you to hear him," said the In- 
dian. " I will not ask you to do what you 
dislike. But here is my house ; those with- 
in will give you a hearty welcome." 

An Indian woman, neatly dressed, with a 
bright, intelligent countenance, came forth, 
with an infant in her arms, to meet Peter, 
several children following her, who clung 



112 



BOB NIXON, 



around him with affectionate glee. A few 
words, which Peter addressed to his wife, 
made her come forward, and, with gentle 
kindness, assist the old man into the cot- 
tage, where the elder children eagerly 
brought a chair, and placed him on it. 
One boy ran off with the horse to a stable 
close at hand, and another assisted his 
mother to prepare some food, and to place 
t on a table, before his father and their 
guest. 

The old man's countenance exhibited 
pleased surprise. 

" Well I well I I shouldn't have believed 
it if I had heard.it," he muttered. " I re- 
member many a cottage in the old country 
that did not come up to this." 

Many and many a cottage very far be- 
hind it, the old hunter might have said; 
and why? Because, in them the blessed 
Gospel was not the rule of life ; while in 
that of the Indian, God's law of love was 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



113 



be- 
laid; 
ssed 
|e in 

was 



the governing principle of all. Christ's 
promised g^'ft, the gift of gifts, rested 
on that humble abode of His faithful fol- 
lowers. 

Several days passed by, and, to Peter's 
regret, the old hunter showed no desire to 
converse with the devoted missionary min- 
ister of the settlement. He came more than 
once, but the old man, shut up within him* 
self, seemed not to listen to any thing he 
said. ' At length he recovered sufficiently to 
go out, and one evening, wandering forth 
through the village, he passed near the 
church. The sound of music reached his 
ears, as he approached the sacred edifice ; 
young voices are raised together in singing 
praises to God, for His bounteous gifts be- 
stowed on mankind : 



" Glory to Thee, mj God, this night, 
For all the blessings of the light ; 
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings ! 

0> Beneath Thine own Almighty wings.** 

♦^ 10* 



114 



BOB KIXON, 



The old hunter stopped to listen; slowly, 
and as if in awe, he draws near the open 
porch. Again he stops, listening still more 
earnestly. 

The young Christians within are singing 
in the Indian tongue. Closer he draws — 
his lips open — his voice joins in the melody. 
Words, long, long forgotten, come uncon- 
sciously from his lips. They are the Eng- 
lish words of that time-honored hymn, sung 
by children in the old country. Scarcely 
does his voice tremble ; it sounds not like 
that of a man, but low and hushed, as it 
might have been when he first learned, from 
his long-lost mother, to lisp those words of 
praise. The music ceases. The old hunter 
bursts into teays — tears unchecked. 

Now he sinks on his knees, with hands up- 
lifted — " Our Father, which art in heaven" 
— he is following the words of the missionary 
within. Are a mother's earnest, ceaseless 
prayers heard — sprayers uttered ere she left 



r> 



X 



f A.'-' 



THE OLD WHITB TBAPPEB. 



115 



this world of trial? Yes; undoubtedly. 
But God's wajt are not man's ways; though 
He tarry long, yet surely He will be found 
—ay, "found of them who sought Him 
not." 

The children's prayer-meeting is ovej^ 
The old man remains on his knees, with 
head bent down, and hands clasped, till thi 
shades of evening close over him. 



h 



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116 



BOB KIXON, 



# 




CHAPTER lY. 

That was the turning-point ; from that 
ay Kob Kixon was an altered man. Of 
course, I do not mean that he at once found 
all his difficulties gone, his heart full of love, 
his prayers full of devotion ; but from this 
time he felt, as he had never felt before, 
that he was ^' blind, and poor, and naked," 
and far away from his home. His good and 
faithful friend, Peter, had given him wise 
and good advice, and had introduced him 
to the excellent minister of the settlement. 
Archdeacon Hunter, who soon became a 
daily visitor at Peter's cottage. 

Skilful in imparting religious knowledge, 
he was able, by slow degrees, to instruct the 
old hunter in the leading truths of Ghristi- 



% 



TBB OLD WRITE TBAPPEB. 



117 



a 



^ 



\ 



i. :^ 



anity. Once comprehendeJ, the old man 
grasped them joyfully; and though long 
unaccustomed to the sight of a book, he 
set to work again to learn to read, that 
he might himself peruse the sacred volume. 
He, of course, learned in English ; and it was 
curious to remark how his countenance 
beamed with pleasure as he recognized 
once familiar, but long-forgotten, letters 
and words, and how rapidly he recovered 
the knowledge he had possessed as a boy. 
His great delight was to attend the school- 
children's service, and to hear them after- 
wards catechized by the minister ; and the 
gray-headed, gaunt old man, might have 
been seen constantly sitting among them, 
truly as a little child, imbibing the truths 
of the Gospel. 

But, after a time, a change came over 
him. He appeared no longer content to 
remain, as hitherto, quietly in the cottage 
of his friend Peter, but spoke of wishing. 



118 



BOB NIXON, 



n 



once more, to be in the saddle, following 
his calling of a hunter. His rifle and ac- 
coutrements had carefully been brought 
home by Peter, but they would be of no 
use without a horse, powder and shot, and 
provisions. 

The autumn hunt, in which a large 
number of the natives of the Red River 
settlement engage every year, was about 
to commence, and, to Peter's surprise and 
regret, Rob Nixon expressed his intention 
of accompanying them, should he be able 
to obtain the means of po doing. Peter 
trembled lest his old friend's conversion 
should not have been real — lest the seed, 
which he had hoped would have borne 
good fruit, had, after all, been sown on 
stony ground. He delicately expressed 
his fears, describing the temptations to 
which a hunter is exposed. A tear ap- 
peared in the old man's eye, as he called 
Peter's eldest boy to him. 






;#?■ 



I- 



THE OLD WHITE TEAPPER. 



119 



" Friend, you love this boy ?" he said. 

" I do, fondly,'* was the natural answer. 

" And you love his soul V^ he asked. 

" Far more, surely. It is the most pre- 
cious part of him," said the Christian father. 

" I, too, have a son, and I love him ; but 
I knew that he could take good care of him- 
self, and so I left him with little regret," 
said the hunter. " But now, friend, I know 
that he has a soul which is in danger 
of perishing, I long to seek him out, to 
tell him of his danger, to win him back to 
that Saviour from whom he has strayed 
BO far. I have a daughter and a friend 
too, and that friend has children. To 
all I would show how they may be 
saved. I loved them once, thinking noth- 
ing of their souls. How much more do 
I love their souls, now that I know their 

value I" 

Peter warmly grasped the old hunter's 
hand, as he exclaimed — 






120 



BOB NIXON, 



"Pardon me, father, that I had hard 
thoughts of you. I understand your object, 
and I doubt not that aid will be aiforded 
you to carry it out, for it is surely one well- 
pleasing in God'^s sight. * He who convert- 
eth a sinner from the error of his way, shall 
save a soul from death, and shall hide a 
multitude of sins.' " 

The whole matter being laid before the 
missionary minister the next day, he highly 
approved of the old hunter's intention, and 
promised to aid him as far as he had the 
power. He was on the point of setting out 
to visit the settlements, as the Ked River 
colony is called, and he invited Eobert Nix- 
on to accompany him, that he might there 
obtain the necessary aid for the accomplish- 
ment of his enterprise. 

It was agreed, in the first place, that the 
old man should not undertake the journey 
alone. The difficulty was to find a com- 
panion for him. * " V 



m 



i,. 













i* 



II 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



121 



Fortunately, two years before, a young 
Sioux had been taken prisoner by a party 
of Crees, a numerous people, who inhabit 
the country round Lake Winnipeg, their 
lodges being found far in other directions. 
They, like the heathen Ojibways, are always 
at war with the Sioux, and no opportu- 
nity is lost of taking each others' scalps. 

This young Sioux, to whom the name of 
Joseph had been given, was anxious to carry 
the glad tidings of salvation to his country- 
men, and hearing of the old hunter's wish, 
gladly volunteered to accompany him. 

Peter would willingly himself have been 

his companion, but that he had his duties as 

a teacher to attend to, and his family to care 

for ; besides which, a Sioux would be able 

to enter the country of his people with less 

risk of being killed by them, than would 

one of the Cree, or Ojibway nation. Peter, 

however, insisted on Nixon taking his horse. 

"You can repay me for the hire some 

11 



122 



BOB NIXON, 



day, or your son can repay my children, 
should you bring him back. If it is not 
God's will that you should succeed in your 
mission, yet I fear not that He will repay 
me, as the loan is for an object well-pleasing 
in His sight." 

A horse for the young Sioux, as well as 
provisions and articles as gifts to propitiate 
any chiefs of tribes who might not know 
him, were still considered necessary, and 
these could only be procured at the Ked 
Kiver. 

The distance between the little colony of 
Prairie Portage and Red Eiver is about 
sixty-five miles, but this neither the old 
hunter nor his companions thought in any 
way a long journey. 

The astonishment of Robert Nixon was 
very great on finding a well-beaten road the 
whole distance, over which wheeled car- 
riages could pass with perfect ease; still 
ir/^re when he passed several farms, even to 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER, 



123 



the west of Lane's Post, which formed the 
termination of their first day's journey. 

Their course was in the same direction as 
that of the Assiniboine, which very winding 
river they occasionally sighted. The banks 
were generally well clothed with fine wood, 
and the soil everywhere appeared to be of 
the richest quality. 

Considerably greater than before was the 
old man's astonishment when, on the second 
day about noon, the party arrived at a com- 
fortable farm, where the owner hospitably 
invited them to rest, and placed before them 
the usual luxuries to be found in a well- 
ordered farm-house in the old country, such 
as good wheat and maize bread, cheese, but- 
ter, bacon, and eggs, with capital beer, and 
in addition, preserves and fruit, several 
vegetables, and fresh maize boiled, answer- 
ing the purpose of green peas. A joint of 
mutton was roasting at the fire, and pota- 
toes were boiling. 



124 



ROB NIXON, 



After this repast, the farmer brought out 
a supply of tobacco, which, he told his 
guests, grew on the farm. 

"Indeed, gentlemen, I may say we here 
live in plenty," he observed; "and all we 
want are people to settle down about us, 
and make our lives more sociable than they 
now are. We have drawbacks, I'll allow ; 
and what farmer, even in the old country, 
can say that he has not ? Ours are, early 
and late frosts, though chiefly the latter ; 
grasshoppers, which will clear a field of 
every green thing in a night; and, occa- 
sionally, wolves and bears ; but those gentry 
don't like the smell of our gunpowder, and 
have mostly taken their departure. On the 
Red River farms, they seldom or never hear 
of one, and the injury they can do us is but 
slight." 

This was the commencement of a long 
line of farms, which extends, with few 
breaks, the whole distance to the Red 



( ,■ 



THE OLD "WHITE TBAPPEB. 



125 



River, into which the Assiniboine falls. 
Often the old hunter was silent, considering 
the unexpected scenes which met his sight, 
though he occasionally indulged in quiet 
remarks on them; but when, at length, 
the lofty and glittering spire of a large 
cathedral,* appearing, as the rays of the 
evening sun shone on it, as if formed of 
burnished silver; numerous edifices, some 
of considerable dimensions, scattered about ; 
public buildings and dwelling-houses ; other 
churches in the distance ; several windmills, 
with their white arms moving in the breeze, 
high above the richly tinted foliage of the 
trees, which formed an irregular fringe to 
the banks of the river flowing beneath 
them; while near at hand, at the point 
where the Assiniboine flows into the larger 

* 

* This cathedral belongs to the Eoinan Catholics, 
who have also a large convent near at hand. They 
maintam a considerable number of missionary sta- 
tions in different parts of the country. 

11* 



^-j 



I ; 



126 



BOB NIXON, 



Btream, rose the walls and battlements of 
a strong fort, whose frowning guns com- 
manded the surrounding plains ; — when he 
saw all this, the scene appeared to his be- 
wildered eyes as if it had sprung up by the 
touch of the enchanter's wand, in the midst 
of the desert. - < 

"Weill well I" he exclaimed, "and I 
have been living all this time but a few 
weeks' journey from this place, and never 
should have thought of it." 

The sight of the large sails of the freight- 
ers' boats niiade him somewhat uncomforta- 
ble, lest he should be carried off to sea ; and 
he could scarcely be persuaded that he was 
still not far short of two thousand miles 
from the Atlantic Ocean, and that there 
was no chance of his being kidnapped. He 
was even more frightened than his steed, 
when a steamer came puffing up to a wharf 
below Fort Garry. 

" What creature is that they have aboard 



THE OLD WlJIiE TRAPPEB. 



127 



there ?" he exdaimed. " Where does the 
strange craft come from ? What is she go- 
ing to do?" 

He sprang from his horse, and stood look- 
ing over the cliff at the steamer. He at 
once recognized her as a vessel, though of a 
construction wonderfully strange to his eyes, 
as no steamers had been built when he left 
England, and he had never heard of their 
invention. The stream of steam puffed off, 
and the loud screams accompanying it, made 
him somewhat incredulous as to the nature 
of the vessel. When, however, all was 
quiet, and he saw a stream of people issuing 
from her side, he was satisfied that she was 
of mortal build, and he was at length per- 
suaded to go down and examine her him- 
self. It almost took away his breath, as he 
said, to find that vessels of far greater size 
now ploughed the ocean in every direc- 
tion, and that continents were traversed by 
long lines of carriages, dragged by single 



128 



ROB NIXON, 



locomotiveB, at the rate of forty miles an 
hour. 

After hearing of this, he was scarcely 
surprised at any of the wonders which were 
told him, and of the numerous discov- 
eries and inventions which have been 
brought into practical use during half a 
century. 

At the close of the day the travellers 
reached a well-built rectory, on the banks 
of the river, where they were hospitably 
received and entertained. While seated, in 
the evening, before the fire, with his host, 
the old man, as he looked round the room, 
and observed the various comforts which it 
contained, heaved a deep sigh. 

" Ah I I feel now how sadlv I have thrown 
my life away," he exclaimed. "I might, 
but for my early folly, have enjoyed all the 
comforts of civilization, and played my part 
as a civilized man, instead of living the life 
of a savage among savages." . , 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPKE. 



129 



** Friend," observed the minister, ** this is 
not the only life. There is another and a 
better — to last forever. 

"Then you have no desire to return to 
your former friends, the Sioux?" the min- 
ister continued, after a pause. 

" Ah I yes ; but not for the pleasure such 
a life as they lead could give me. There is 
the friend of my youth, and there are his 
children, and my children. My great desire 
is to return to them to tell them that they 
have souls, and what the Lord, in His 
loving-kindness, has done for their couls." 

The object of the old hunter was no 
sooner known in the settlement than he 
obtained all the assistance he could re- 
quire. Few persons who had for so long 
led a savage life could have appreciated, 
more fully than he now seemed to do, the 
advantages of civilization, and yet none of 
them could turn him from his purpose. 
Within five days he and his young Sioux 



"#* 



150 



ROB NIXON, 



companion, Joseph, were ready to set out 
They had a led-horse to carry their provi- 
sions and -presents, and they had arms, 
though rather to enable them to kill game 
for their support than for the purpose of 
jBghting. 

" I pray that our hands may be lifted up 
against no man's life, even though we may 
be attacked by those who are what we our- 
selves were but a short time back, and should 
still be, but for God's grace," said the old 
man, as he slung his rifle to his saddle-bow. 

Once more Robert ]N^ixon turned his back 
on the abodes of civilized men. Had it not 
been for the object in view, it would have 
been with a heavy heart. 

" If Tom and I had remained at school, 
and labored on steadily, we might have been 
like one of those ministers of the Gospel, or 
settlers, and our children the same, instead 
of the young savages they now are, ignorant 
of God and His holy laws." 



THE OLD WHITE TEAPPEB. 



131 



Thus he mused as he rode along. He and 
his young companion did not neglect the 
usual precautions, when they camped at 
night, to avoid discovery by any wandering 
natives who might be disposed to molest 
them. V 

The young Indian, though possessing 
much less religious knowledge than Peter, 
yet showed a sincere anxiety to fulfil his 
religious duties, and, without fail, a hymn 
was sung and prayer was offered up before 
starting on their day's journey, and when 
they lay down on their beds of spruce, fir- 
twigs, or leaves, or dry grass, at night. 

The travellers rode on day after day with- 
out encountering any material impediments 
to their progress. There were no rugged 
mountains to ascend, no dense forests to 
penetrate, or wild defiles amid which they 
had to find their way. There were rivers 
and streams ; but some were easily forded ; 
across others they swam their horses, and 



132 



BOB NIXOK, 



passed their provisions and goods on small 
rafts, which they towed behind them. 

Leaving British territory, and moving 
west, the country had a barren and arid 
appearance. In many districts sand pre- 
dominated, with sand-hills of more or less 
elevation ; in others, grass, growing in tufts 
out of the parched-up stony ground, was the 
only herbage. Indeed, from north to south, 
and east to west, for many hundred miles, 
there exists an extent of country known as 
the Dakotah territory, unfitted, from the 
absence of water, to become the permanent 
abode of civilized man. Here, however, at 
certain seasons, herds of buffalo find pas- 
turage on their way to and from the more 
fertile regions of the north ; and thus, with 
the aid of fish, and other wild animals, and 
roots and berries, considerable tribes of the 
Dakotah nation find a precarious existence. 



i 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



133 



CHAPTER V. 



It was in the western portion of the Da- 
kotah territory, described in the last chap- 
ter, that a numerous band of the lords of the 
soil had pitched their skin tents by the side 
of a stream, whose grassy banks, fringed 
with trees, contrasted strongly with the dry 
and hilly ground before mentioned, which, 
as far as the eye could reach, extended on 
either side of them. Yet the scene was 
animated in the extreme. In the centre 
of a wide basin, into which a valley opened 
from the distant prairie, was erected a high 
circular inclosure of stakes, and boughs, and 
skins. There was but one entrance towards 
the valley, and on either side of this entrance 

commenced a row of young trees, or branches 

18 



134 



ROB NIXON, 



of trees, the distance between each line be- 
coming greater and greater the further off 
they were from the in closure. The figure 
formed by the lines was exactly that of a 
straight road drawn in perspective on paper, 
being very wide at one end, and narrowing 
gradually till it became only the width of 
the entrance to the inclosTire at the other. 
Between each of the trees or bushes was sta- 
tioned an Indian, armed with bow or spear, 
and having a cloak, or a thick mass of 
branches, in his hand. Outside the inclo- 
sure were numerous persons, chiefly women, 
and old men and boys, the latter armed with 
bows and arrows, and the former having 
cloaks or boughs. They were flitting to and 
fro, apparently waiting some event of in- 
terest. As the travellers reached the top of 
a hill overlooking the inclosure, a cloud 
of dust was seen approaching the fur- 
ther end. 
"There they come, there they come!" 



\ 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



135 



exclaimed the old hunter, with difficulty- 
refraining from dashing down the hill, as, 
at the instant, a herd of some three or four 
hundred buiFaloes burst, at headlong speed, 
from out of the dust — tossing their heads 
and tails, tearing up the earth with their 
horns, trampling, in their terror, over each 
other — ^followed closely by a band of red- 
skinned huntsmen, with bow or spear in 
hand, most of them free of clothing, and 
uttering the wildest cries and shouts, now 
galloping here, now there, as some fierce 
bull turned and stood at bay, sending an 
arrow into the front of one, dashing a 
spear into the side of another, while they 
hung on the flanks of the herd, keeping 
the animals, as nearly as possible, in the 
centre of the read. w 

Whenever any of the herd approached 
the line of bushes on either side, the Indians 
stationed there shook the cloaks or the 
boughs they held in their hands, and shout- 



136 



ROB NIXON, 



ed and shrieked, tlins effectually turning the 
bewildered animals into the main stream. 

Sometimes the whole herd attempted to 
to break through, but were turned with 
equal facility. If they attempted to stop, 
the hunters behind, closing in on them, 
urged them on, until, still more and more 
compressed, those in the interior of the herd 
being utterly unable to see where they were 
going, they were forced, by redoubled 
shouts and shrieks in their rear, through 
the narrow gateway into the inclosure. 
Through it they dashed, a dark stream of 
wild fierce heads and manes surging up and 
down, till the whole were driven in, and the 
hunters themselves, leaping the bar across 
the entrance, followed close in their rear. 

Wow, round and round the confined 
pound the affrighted creatures rushed, not 
discovering a single opening which might 
afford them a chance of escape, bellowing 
and roaring, the strong trampling on the 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



m 



young and weak, the calves soon falling and 
being crushed to death ; showers of arrows 
from the hunters' bows bringing many low, 
while others, wounded by the darts and 
spears of the people outside, or gored by 
their fellows, sunk down exhausted from 
loss of blood. 

It was truly a spectacle of wanton and 
barbarous slaughter, which none but those 
accustomed to it could have watched un- 
moved. Even Robert Nixon, though he 
had often joined in similar scenes, regarded 
it with feelings very different to what he 
would formerly have done. 

"Alas! alas! is it thus God's cieatures 

are destroyed to no purpose, by these poor 

savages?" he exclaimed to his companion. 

" Not one-twentieth part of the meat can be 

consumed by them; and the day will come 

when they will seek for food, and there will 

be none for them, and they themselves must 

vanish away out of the land." 

12* 



138 



ROB NTXON, 



The two travellers had been moving along 
the height above the valley, but so entirely 
engaged were the Indians in the work of 
entrapping the buffalo, fhat they were ob- 
served by no one. . ., 

They now descended towards the tents. 
In front of one of them sat a somewhat 
portly man, his countenance, and the hue of 
his complexion, rather than, his costume, 
showing that he was of the white race. The 
tents were pitched on a spot sufficiently 
elevated above the valley to enable him to 
watch all that was taking place within the 
pound. His attention, also, was so com- 
pletely absorbed by the proceedings of his 
companions, that he did not perceive, for 
some time, the approach of the horsemen. 
When he did, starting to his feet, and up- 
setting the three-legged stool on which he 
was sitting, he exclaimed — 
I "What, old chum! is it you — ^you, in- 
deed ? I made sure that what they told me 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



139 



was true, and that you were long, long ago 
food for the wolves. Let me look at you. 
I cannot yet believe my senses." 

Rob Nixon having dismounted, the two 
old men stood for some moments grasping 
each other's hands. 

It was some time before old Tom could 
persuade himself that his friend was really 
alive ; not, indeed, till the latter had given 
a brief account of the way he had been 
found and rescued by the Indian, Peter, and 
the chief events which had occurred to him. 

" Well, well ! I'm right glad to get you 
back ; and now you must give up your hunt- 
ing, as I have done, and just take your ease 
for the rest of your days," said old Tom. 

" Hunting I have done with ; but I have 
yet much work to do before I die," answered 
the old hunter. " You and I are great sin- 
ners ; we were brought up in a Christian 
land, and still we have been living the lives 
of heathens. But, Tom, since I have been 



I i 



140 



ROB NIXON, 



away, I have read the Bible ; I have there 
learned about Christ; and I see that we 
have been living lives as different from His 
as black is from white, as light is from dark- 
ness. Tom, would you like to learn about 
Him ?" 

Tom signified his readiness with a nod. 
it was all Kobert Nixon required, and he at 
once opened on the subject of God's love, 
and man's sin, and Christ the Saviour from 

40 ' 

sin. The young Indian stood by holding 
the horses, and watching the countenances 
of the speakers. It must have been a great 
trial for him to remain thus inactive, while 
his countrymen were engaged in their ex- 
citing occupation; but a new rule of life 
had become his, and duty had taken the 
place of inclination. 

" There, Tom ; I've just said a little about 
the chiefest thing I've got to say to you," 
were the words with which Rob wound up 
his address. 






THE OLD WHITE TBAPFEB. 



141 



Tom looked puzzled, but not displeased, 
as some men might have been. 

His friend was prevented from saying 
more, by the loud shouts of the Indians, as 
the last bull of a herd of nearly three hun- 
dred animals sank, overcome by loss of blood 
from numberless arrows and darts, to the 
saturated ground. There lay the shaggy 
monsters, in every conceivable attitude 
into which a violent death could throw 
them ; some on their backs, as they had 
rolled over, others with the young calves, 
which they had run against in their mad 
career round the pound, impaled on their 
horns ; many had fallen over each other, 
and, dying from their wounds, had formed 
large heaps in every direction. It was truly 
a sickening spectacle.* 

' * The chief object of the Indians in thus slaughter- 
ing so large a number of buffaloes is to lay in a store of 
their flesh, which they preserve and call pemmican. 
It is first cut off, free of fat, and hung up in thin strips 
to dry in the sun. It is then pounded between stones, 



142 



BOB Nixoir, 



The old hunter, after a pause, pointed 
towards it : 

" There^ Tom, that's just a picture of what 
has been going on in the world, time without 
mind," he remarked ; " the Indians are doing 
what the spirits of evil do, and the poor buf- 
faloes are like the people in the world, all 
driven madly together, destroying one an- 
other, till none remain alive ; but Christ de- 
livers men from the spirits of evil, and leads 
them into safety and rest." 

Hitherto the new-comers had escaped 
observation, but now numerous Indians 

and put into leathern bags, with the boiled fat of the 

animal poured in and mixed with it. The white fur- 

^ traders also purchase this pemmican, as well as the 

skins known as robes, and also the sinews. Very 

many more animals are killed than can be used by 

the thoughtless savages, and thus thousands are left 

to rot uselessly on the prairie. As the buffaloes de- 

I crease in number, so do the red men disappear from 

\ the face of the earth. The settlement of civilized 

\men in the territory appears to be the only mode 

W saving the natives, by affording them the means 

yf subsistence. 



THB OLD WHITE TEAPPEE. 



143 



crowded round, some to welcome the old 
white hunter, others to inquire the cause 
wliich brought the young man with him. 

The first to approach the old man was a 
young girl ; her complexion was fairer than 
that of several other girls who accompanied 
her, and her dress was more ornamented 
with beads and feathers than theirs. She 
stopped timidly at a short distance — Indian 
etiquette would not allow her to approach 
nearer. 

She was very beautiful, but her beauty 
was that of the wild gazelle, it had not yet 
been destroyed by the hard toil, and often 
cruel usage, to which the older women of 
her people were exposed. 

"Come, daughter; come I" said the old 
man in the Dakotah tongue, holding out 
his arms, " I have good tidings for thee." 

The young girl bounded forward, and 
Bob Nixon, taking her in his arms, im- 
printed a kiss on her brow. 



flp?^ 



144 



BOB NIXON, 



" Father, father, that you have come back 
when we thought you lost, is good news 
enough ; you cannot bring me better" — 
looking up into the old man's face, not 
without some surprise, however, at the 
affectionate manner in which she was 
treated, contrasted with the stern way in 
which the Indians treat the females of 
their people. 

" I will tell thee of the good news anon. 
You might not value it as it deserves," 
said Robert Nixon. "Thy brother, where 
is he?" 

" He left the camp with a score more of 
our young braves, nearly ten moons ago, 
to make war on the Crees of the plain, 
and he ha§ not yet returned. Scouts have 
been sent out, but no tidings have been 
received of the party." 

The father did not conceal his disap- 
pointment. 

"I have a rich gift to offer him," he 



- 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



145 



thought; "would that he had been here 
to have accepted it. Alas ! alas ! how 
great is my sin, who was born a Christian, 
to have allowed my children to grow up 
ignorant heathens." 

It is sad to think that many white men, in 
many parts of the vast territory known as 
Kupert's land, may have cause to feel as 
did Robert. Nixon. 

Two of old Tom's sons were also away on 
the same hazardous expedition ; but, though 
anxious about them, for he was a kind- 
hearted man, he could not enter into Rob 
Nixon's feelings in the matter. 

Now, as the evening camo on, the people 
crowded into the encampment, all eager to 
hear how their white friend, and one of their 
chief, as well as the oldest, of their leaders, 
had escaped death. He used no bitter ex- 
pressions, but he could not help asking, 
ironically, how it was that — among so 
many who professed regard for him — ^no 

13 



146 



KOB NIXON, 



one had thought of turning back to look 
for him, when he was missed ? 

Numerous were the excuses offered, and 
all were glad when he dropped the sub- 
ject, and held up a book, out of which he 
proposed to read to them, in their own 
language. 

Not knowing the nature of a book, they 
naturally supposed it to be some powerful 
charm, and declared that he had become a 
great medicine-man. 

" If it is a charm, and I do not say that it 
is not, it is one that, if you will listen, may 
do you good, and will make you wiser than 
you have ever before been," he answered. 
" Do you, or do you not, wish "to hear me ?" 

There were no dissentient voices, and he 
then read to them how God, the Great 
Spirit, so loved the world, that He sent His 
Son into the world, that all who believe in 
Him should not perish, but have eternal life, 
— "men, women, and children, old asnd 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEE. 



147 



young alike," he added. " I will tell you 
more about the matter by and by, friends. 
Talk over now what I have said. This 
book, though small, contains a great deal ; 
many a day must pass before you know its 
contents. Those who wish to know more 
may come to my lodge when they will, and 
I will read to them." 

Eob IT'xon made a very efficient mission- 
ary in 1^ rumble, unpretending way. He 
did not attack Manitou or any of the super- 
stitions, but he placed the better way before 
them, that they might have the opportunity 
of comparing it with their own foolish cus- 
toms and notions. 

With his own daughter and his old friend, 
whom he knew he could trust, he proceeded 
in a different method; his friend he re- 
minded of what he had been taught in his 
youth, how he had spent his life, and again 
and again inquired what hope he had for 
the future. 



148 



ROB NIXON, 



To his daughter he pointed out the folly 
of the religious belief and the customs of 
red people, and showed her the advantages 
of those of true Christians. To an artless, 
unsophisticated mind, where sin has not 
ruled triumphantly, the Gospel will always 
prove attractive, if offered — as its divine 
Originator intended it should be offered — as 
a blessing — as a charter of freedom, not a 
code of legal restrictions. The young girl 
received it joyfully, and day by day in- 
creased in knowledge and grace. 

He was, however, often in despair with 
regard to old Tom. His friend listened to 
what he read and said, but the truth did not 
appear to find an entrance into his mind ; 
still he listened, and tried to pray, and as he 
tried, he found praying less difficult; and 
when he listened, he comprehended better 
and better what he heard. 

Tom's sons and daughters still remaining 
with him began also to listen, and came 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



149 



oftener and oftener to the old hunter's 
lodge, as their interest increased, till they 
declared that they were ready to go 
wlierever they could constantly hear the 
Word of God, and be more fully instructed 
in its truths. 

A large part of Kobert Nixon's object 
was accomplished, but not the whole. A 
great grief lay at his heart — the loss, and 
probable death, of his son. 

The winter had now set in, snow covered 
the whole face of nature in every direction, 
for many hundreds of miles. Travelling, 
though not impracticable, had become more 
difficult and dangerous ; it could, however, 
be accomplished by means of dog-sleighs or 
carioles, though all the wealth possessed by 
Nixon and his friend could scarcely furnish 
dogs sufficient to transport all the party and 
provisions to the banks of the Assiniboine. 

No news had been received of the miss- 
ing band. Old Tom shared his friend's 

18* 



i;i 



\ ', 



150 



ROB NIXON, 



grief, and now he began to dread their loss 
for the most important reason. 

Nixon's time was also engaged among the 
tribe generally ; even the chief listened to 
him attentively, and offered no opposition to 
his proceedings. For himself, he said that 
he was too old to change, but that his 
people might follow the new way, if they 
found it better than the old. 

Joseph, the young Sioux, was a great 
assistance to him. Nixon offered to allow 
him to go back to his own people, but he 
declined, saying that he was not strong 
enough to resist temptations, and might be 
inclined to go back to their evil ways, if he 
found himself among them ; an example 
which more civilized youths might wisely 
follow — not to run into temptation. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



151 



CHAPTER YI. 

It was during the short spring of the 
North American continent, which so sud- 
denly breaks into perfect summer, that a 
camp might have been seen pitched on the 
side of the bank of a broad and rapid river. 
The spot selected for the camp formed a bay 
of the river, or it might be called a nook in 
the bank. It appeared to have been chosen 
for the purpose of concealment: for only 
from one point on the opposite bank could 
it be seen, while above it was completely 
sheltered by the thick growth of trees which 
fringed each side of the river. From the 
conical shape of the ekin-covered tents, the 
accoutrements of the steeds tethered near, 
the dog-sleds, for carrying goods and pro- 



t< 



152 



ROB NIXON, 



it 



visions, and the people standing or sitting 
about, it would have been known at once to 
be a Sioux encampment. 

On a nearer inspection, however, several 
points of difference would have been dis- 
covered. In front of one of the tents sat 
two old men, whose complexion showed that 
they were not Indians, while the dress of 
one of them was that of a civilized man. 
Several young women and girls were busily 
preparing the evening meal, some young 
men were bringing them a supply of fire- 
wood and water, while others were engaged 
in fishing in the river. 

Several, both of the young men and girls, 
had complexions much lighter than those of 
Indians, though others, from their dark 
color, were evidently of the native race. 
They seemed to be fearless of interruption ; 
indeed, they probably relied on due notice 
of danger being given them by their scouts 
or sentries, who were watching from some 



« • 



* 

•'*» 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



153 



of the more elevated spots in the neighbor- 
hood. 

One of the old men had been reading to 
the other from the Bible. He closed the 
sacred volnme. 

" Let us thank God, old friend, that with- 
in a week we may hope once more to be 
among our Christian countrymen, and be 
able to join with them in His worship and 
praise, and to thank Him for His loving 
mercy to us," said Kobert Nixon. "For 
my part, I have only one desire : to recover 
™y boy and yours, and to see them belong- 
ing to Christ's flock." 

"Ah, Bill!"— Tom always called his 
friend by that name, — " I, too, should like 
to see the day ; but it's far off, I fear. But 
I hope they'll go to heaven somehow." 

This conversation was interrupted by a 
loud cry of alarm from the young women of 
the party; and looking up, they saw a 
dozen red-skin warriors, who had just issued 



! t 






154 



ROB NIXON 






i 



from among the trees on the summit of the 
bank above them. 

Several had rifles, others were armed 
only with bows. They were in the act of 
taking aim with their weapons, when Nixon 
saw them. 

Forgetting the native language in his agi- 
tation, he shouted out to them, in English, 
to desist. They hesitated. 

Some of the girls took the opportunity of 
rushing off to seek for shelter behind the 
trees. Tom went into the tent for his gun. 

Nixon advanced towards the Indians, 
whom he perceived to be Orees, the mortal 
enemies of the Dakotahs. His daughter, 
believing him to be in danger, instead of 
running for shelter, like her companions, 
flew after him. 

Old Tom reappeared at the moment with 
his rifle. 

The Crees, believing that resistance was 
about to be offered, fired. Their powder or 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



165 



weapons were bad : some did not go off, the 
bullets, generally, flew wide, but one, alas I 
took effect. It was in the bosom of Rob 
Nixon's daughter. Her cry made him turn 
round; and, forgetting all else, he caught 
her in his arms, as she was sinking to the 
ground. 

Before the savages had time to reload, 
and as they were about to rush down the 
hill, scalping-knife in hand, to complete their 
cruel work, they were set upon by an equal 
number of Sioux, who sprang so suddenly 
on them from behind, that not one of them 
had time to use his weapon in self-defence. 

A desperate struggle ensued, each man 
trying to pin his antagonist to the ground. 
Two Crees, desperately wounded, lay faint- 
ing from loss of blood. 

Tom, climbing up the hill, still further 
turned the balance in favor of the Sioux. 

The Sioux were, Tom perceived, of his 
own party. They had been warned by one 



(I 



166 



ROB NIXON, 



of their scouts that an enemy was at hand, 
and without disturbing the rest of the camp 
had gone out to intercept them. They had, 
however, missed them, but again discover- 
ing their trail, had followed close in their 
rear, though not fast enough to prevent 
the unhappy catastrophe which had oc- 
curred. 

The struggle was fierce and desperate. 
Neither party expected any mercy from the 
victors. Three of the Crees were killed, and 
this releasing three of the Sioux party, aided 
by old Tom, the latter were able to assist 
their companions. Their aim was, however, 
not to kill. The Crees were quickly dis- 
armed, and being bound, stood expecting 
the usual fate of the vanquished. 

At a signal from Nixon, they were led 
down the bank to where he knelt by the 
side of his daughter, in vain attempting to 
stanch the life-blood streaming from her 
wound. *e .. I 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPER. 



15t 



"Father!" she whispered; "I am leav- 
ing you. I feel death coming, but I am 
happy, for I know One, powerful to save, is 
ready to receive me. 1 would have lived to 
have comforted you, but I believe my pray- 
ers are heard, and that my brother will yet 
be restored to you." 

She was silent for some time; then her 
eyes, opening, fell on the prisoners, as they 
stood bound on the top of the bank, and 
she continued : 

" I have but one petition to make. It is, 
that those ignorant men may not be pun- 
ished. They followed but the way^ of their 
people, and thought not of the wicked act 
they were doing. I would speak to them." 

In a faint voice, the dying girl addressee 

the prisoners, and urged them to listen to 

the words her father would speak to them, 

adding: "Truly do I forgive you, and may 

you find forgiveness from the Great Good 

Spirit, whom you know not." 

14 



I < 



158 



BOB NIXON, 



- It would be difficult to describe the as- 
tonishment of the .Crees when they found 
that not only were they not to undergo tor- 
ment before being killed, but that they 
were actually freely pardoned. 

After consulting for some time, one of 
them, who appeared to be the leader, step- 
ped forward and said: 

" We have heard that there are praying 
men among the pale-faces, but that their 
praying made their people diflferent to us we 
did not know, for most of the things we do 
they do; they fight with each other and 
with us, they drive us from our lands, they 
cheat us when trading, they shoot us with- 
out pity, whenever they catch as, and they 
bring disease and death among us ; so that, 
though once we were numerous as tlie stones 
which strew the prairie lands of the Dako- 
tahs, now we can count our people while 
the sun rests at its midday height in the 
sky. Such was our notion of the palo-faccs, 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEE. 



159 



but you have given us a different notion. 
Though we have done you a great injury, 
though our weapons have cruelly cut down 
one who is surely the most lovely of the 
flowers of the prairie, instead of slaying us, 
you forgive us ; she too, even, not only for- 
gives us, but prays to the Great Spirit for us. 
Our minds are astonished ; our hearts are 
softened, melted within us. We would be 
yodr friends, and we wish to prove it. Wo 
know the pale-faces who dwell towards the 
rising of the sun, and we will accompany 
you on your way to them, and guard you 
from further attacks. You doubt us. You 
fear treachery. You are wise. We will 
prove that we are honest. Some moons 
past, ere the snows of winter had covered 
the ground, our tribe was assailed by a 
party of Dakotah braves. We had notice 
of their coming, and had an ambush pre- 
pared for them. Among them we discerned 
three whom we knew by their color to be 



M 



160 



ROB NIXON, 



u>:i'. 



the children of the pale-faces. We judged 
that they had been carried off when young, 
and we hoped to obtain a reward by restor- 
ing them to their parents or countrymen, 
our friends. The Dakotahs we slew, but, 
though they fought desperately and were 
much wounded, we succeeded in saving the 
three young men alive. We could not then 
travel with them, so we kept them in our 
lodges while the snow remained. We were 
on our way to the east with them when, in 
our folly, we resolved to attack your camp. 
Our prisoners we left with a small number 
of our band, w^ho are but a short way from 
this." 

"Oh! bring them — haste! — ^haste!" ex- 
claimed the wounded girl, alone divining 
who they were of whom the Cree spoke ; 
" I would see my brother ere I die. I have 
much — much to say to him." 

Anxious to gratify his daughter, and 
satisfied that the Cree chief spoke the truth, 



THE OLD WHITE TBAPPEB. 



161 



and would not prove treacherous, Robert 
Nixon allowed two of hk followers, known 
as fleet of foot, to hasten to his camp to 
bring in the young men spoken of, having 
no doubt that his own son, and his friend's 
two sons, were the prisoners spoken of. 

Meantime, it appeared doubtful whether 
the dying girl would survive till their 
arrival. While the rest of the party stood 
round grieving, she reclined in her father's 
arms, occasionally whispering a few words 
of comfort in his ear, and assuring him of 
her happiness. At length, she lifted up her 
head in the attitude of listening. Her quick 
ear had caught the sound of approaching 
footsteps, even before the rest of the party. 
It was some time before any one appeared. 

" I knew it — ^I knew it — my brother I" she 

cried out, as several young men, running at 

full speed, burst from among the trees at the 

top of the bank. 

One of them, who was leading, taking a 

14* 



162 



BOB NIXON, 



hurried glance around, rushed down, and, 
with an expression in which surprise and 
grief were mingled, threw himself by her 
side. 

She took his hand, and strange to His ear 
were the communications she made. 

Another of the youths approached her. 
She gave him her other hand, and turned 
her countenance towards him as she did so. 

" I was the cause of your going on that 
expedition. I was ignorant, dark-minded, 
wicked. I knew well that you loved me. 
I know it now ; but, oh I listen to my father. 
He will tell you of One who loves you far 
more than I could do, whose love will 
make ample amends for the loss of mine; 
and then we may meet in the realms of hap- 
piness, to dwell forever and ever together." 
. To the young heathen, this language was 
an enigma. Ere it was solved, the speaker 
had ceased to breathe. 

"The Lord's will be done!'' said the old 



.*♦ 



V. 



THE OLD WHITE TRAPPEB. 



163 



«•» 



hunter ; and those who knew how he loved 
his child understood what a mighty change 
religion had wrought in his heart. 

They buried her in that secluded spot, be- 
neath the green turf, on which she had 
lately trod so full of life and beauty ; and 
those who had loved her, and their late foes, 
assisted to raise a monument, of materials 
furnished by the river-bed and the surround- 
ing trees, above her tomb. 

Eob Nixon and all the party reached the 
settlements in safety. He mourned as a 
father for his daughter, but his mourning 
was full of hope. "- 

Her dying words were not thrown away 
on her brother, or on his companions, be- 
fore long, they were all baptized, and ad- 
mitted to the privileges and blessings of 
Christ's Church. When the father knelt at 
the Lord's table, for the first time after his 
daughter's death, and thought of the dead 
for whom thanks had been given, because 



164 



BOB HnXOTSfj 



they had died in Christ'a faith and feai, he 
felt that his beloved daughter had not died 
in vain. He declared that he had not been 
preserved from so many and great dangers of 
body and spirit, to lead a life of idleness ; and 
while life remained, he never wearied in 
striving to bring others to a knowledge^ of 
Him, whom he had found to be bo precious 
to his own soul. 



THB END. 



^tk luliinili^ 



TWUVOMD BT 



JAMES MILLEB, 

629 BROADWAY, N. Y. 



MAQNET STORIES. 

Fpr Summer Days and Winter Nighta 

SEOOITD BBBIBB. 

IMPUISS AND PaiNCIPLB, 

AND OTHBR STORIES. 
BY MISS ABBOTT. 



THE PRIVATE PURSE, 
Qlnb otl)er Storiea. 

BY MRS. S. O. HALU 



rURNS OF FORTITTsrS 

BT MRS. 8. a KAUL 



JPublithed by James Miller^ 622 jBroadwa/y, 



OR THREE MONTHS AT SEA. 
BY PETER PARLEY. 



|m %n)imtxl% SS0ntoM f ales. 

ILLUSTRATED. 



HANS MBSMSN'S S70RI BOOS. 

ILLUSTRATED. 



Jans Jlnhrsttt's |airj faUs. 

ILLUSTRATED. 



O-ULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 

New Edition. Illastrated. 



Now Edition. IlluBtrated. 

^nnt Canit's |i|inus itst Cpktn. 



LIFE OP &E0. WASHINaTON. 

With ninstrations by Darley. 




y'}ii\ 



